Sick Sorenstam Drops Out of Canadian Open

Annika Sorenstam played six holes Thursday then withdrew from the Canadian Women’s Open at Vancouver, Canada.

Sorenstam, the LPGA’s top money-winner with $1.214 million, has been bothered by a cold since last week’s U.S. Open in North Plains, Ore.

Sorenstam was one over par when she walked off the course after hitting her second shot on the par-four seventh hole into a greenside bunker.

“I’m feeling bad for the fans and the tournament, but my whole body feels ill,” Sorenstam said in a statement before leaving Point Grey Golf and Country Club.

“I was hoping the last couple of days with rest would have made me feel better, but the last couple of months have caught up with me.”

Heather Bowie finished with a six-under 66 to take the first-round lead over Grace Park, Jeong Jang, Pat Hurst and Juli Inkster.

Defending champion Meg Mallon and Se Ri Pak were in a group of nine at 69.

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Gil Morgan shot an eight-under 64 that gave him a two-stroke lead in the opening round of the Senior Players Championship at Dearborn, Mich.

Morgan, who won the event in 1998, held a two-stroke lead over Tom Kite, 2001 champion Allen Doyle, Fred Gibson, Doug Tewell and Mike McCullough, as 39 players broke par.

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Jay Don Blake wasn’t thinking about taking the first-round lead at the Greater Milwaukee Open when he saved par with a nine-foot putt on his final hole.

“I wanted to shoot a 29 on one side, I wasn’t real worried about being on the leaderboard,” said Blake, whose six-under 64 left him one shot in front of Kirk Triplett.

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Ernie Els shot a seven-under 64 that held up for a two-stroke lead over David Howell in the rain-suspended opening round of the Scottish Open at Luss.