Sorenstam Misses Cut, but Here Comes Lopez

England’s Alison Nicholas shot a five-under-par 66 Friday to take the second-round lead in the U.S. Women’s Open, and sentimental favorite Nancy Lopez charged into contention with birdies on the final three holes.

Nicholas, who began the day five shots behind first-round leader Liselotte Neumann, had a bogey-free round on the par-71, 6,365-yard Witch Hollow course at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club and was at six-under 136 halfway through the biggest event in women’s golf.

But it was Lopez, 45, whose Hall of Fame career includes 48 victories but never one in a U.S. Open, who had the crowd roaring behind her as she rallied for a 68 and a 137 total, tied with Neumann and Kelly Robbins one shot out of the lead.

Annika Sorenstam, trying to become the first woman to win three consecutive U.S. Opens, ended her two-round nightmare at eight-over 150 after a 73. She missed the cut for the first time since the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic in 1994, a span of 62 tournaments.