California, Apr 05: World number one Annika Sorenstam claimed a two-shot lead after carding a four-under-par 68 on the opening day of the Office Depot Championship. Sorenstam had two bogeys, two birdies and two eagles as she reached the turn in 32 in southern California.
And the Swede, who will compete against the men in the PGA's Colonial next month, parred her final seven holes to finish two clear of Cindy Figg-Currier. England's Alison Nicholas, Mexico's Lorena Ochoa and Yu Ping Lin of Taiwan were one shot further back on one under along with Stephanie Louden.
"That was a little bit of an up-and-down round," said Sorenstam, who won 11 titles last year. "I'm very pleased. My caddie was out on the course early this morning, and when he picked me up, he told me 'you've got to be patient today'.
"The wind and some of the pin placements made the course difficult. This is one of the toughest courses we play all year."
Defending champion Se Ri Pak's opening 73 left her five shots off the lead and last week's Kraft Nabisco winner Patricia Meunier-Lebouc struggled to a 75. England's Laura Davies saw her impressive start to the year blown off course by a four-over-par 76.


Bureau Report