Wie loses ground
to Jang

SOUTHPORT, England » Jeong Jang took a four-stroke lead into the weekend at the Women's British Open after a second-round 66 yesterday, while Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie fell to eight shots back.

The second-round leader is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory in six years as a pro. The 25-year-old South Korean is determined to limit the distractions of leading the strongest field in women's golf, including two of its biggest names.

"I just need to think about my golf, about the golf course and I think I will be OK," she said. "But it will be hard.

"This course, it's kind of scary so I have to pay attention."

Jang, who led by one overnight, birdied four consecutive holes starting with No. 4 and added three more after the turn, holing putts from 15 feet or less. Her only blemish was when she left her approach 20 yards short of the eighth green and then missed a 10-foot par putt.

Jang's 6-under round put her at 10-under 134, a Women's British Open 36-hole record since the event became a major five years ago.

Her closest rival was Swedish amateur Louise Stahle, who shot 65, while Cristie Kerr's 66 left her another stroke back at 5-under 139.

Wie recovered from a first-round 75 in the fickle English weather to post a 67 yesterday, while Sorenstam's 69 also kept her in contention at 2-under 142.

Wie was frustrated at shooting her second-best round in a major, yet still fell further behind the leader. She made seven birdies, including three over the last four holes.

"I'm under par right now," said the 15-year-old Hawaii amateur. "We still have two more days and there's a lot happening, and a lot that's going to happen. I'm just really happy with how I played today. But it could have been better. I missed quite a few putts out there."

She also had a huge stroke of good fortune.

After her drive at No. 17 ended up in deep rough, she could only chop the ball out 60 yards further down the fairway. Then her third shot appeared to be sailing into further trouble, just missing a greenside pot bunker and bouncing on the side of a mound before turning right and rolling onto the green. She made the 9-foot putt for birdie.

"It was, like, the best birdie I made, like, ever," she said.

Chasing her third major of the season and 10th overall, Sorenstam collected three birdies in a bogey-free round to join a group of five tied for eighth.

"I hit 16 greens and I am very happy about that," she said. "But I have to straighten a few things out for the weekend. I'm hitting good shots but I can't seem to get them close so I have to figure that out.

"Tomorrow is Saturday, so I don't think you can be too far (behind)."