LPGA Looks Like a Cinch

The second leg of the Grand Slam might be easier than the first for Annika Sorenstam, who blew away the field Saturday in the LPGA Championship with her 14th consecutive round in the 60s to take a five-shot lead into the final round at Havre de Grace, Md.

Despite a bogey on the final hole and again failing to make birdie on any of the par fives, Sorenstam walked away with a three-under 69 and few worries.

Asked what message her big lead sent to the rest of the field, Sorenstam paused before stating what she has made obvious over the last five years.

“That I’m here to play,” she said. “My goal is to come to play, to win and to leave.”

Laura Davies missed two short putts and ended with a sloppy double bogey for a two-over 74 that left her seven shots behind.

Sorenstam, who was at 12-under 204, will be paired in the final round with Young Kim, who had a 68.

Michelle Wie shot a one-under 71, leaving her in a tie for third at 211.

Wie will play in the second-to-last group with Jeong Jang, who shot a 69. Also at five-under 211 were Natalie Gulbis and Moira Dunn.

*

Tom Watson has only 18 holes to catch first-round leaders R.W. Eaks and Gil Morgan and win for the first time on his home turf, one of the few goals that has eluded the popular Kansas City, Mo., native.

Rain washed out the second round at the Champions Tour’s Bayer Advantage Classic at Overland Park, Kan., reducing the tourney to 36 holes for the second year in a row.

Watson, who has come as close as second here since joining the Champions Tour full time in 2000, cut back his recent schedule to make sure he was strong and fully prepared for this year’s tourney at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate, not far from his home.

He shot a five-under 67 in the first round Friday, one of 15 golfers within three strokes of Eaks and Morgan.