Gainbridge LPGA: Annika Sorenstam cuts in her first official LPGA tour since retiring in 2008 | Golf News

Annika Sorenstam cuts halfway in her first official LPGA Tour appearance since retiring in 2008; Lydia Ko will lead one-shot lead at Gainbridge LPGA – watch live this weekend on Sky Sports Golf’s YouTube channel

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Annika Sorenstam made it through to the weekend in her first official LPGA tour in 13 years after the 71st round at Gainbridge LPGA

Lydia Ko will lead a one-shot lead at the half-way stage of Gainbridge LPGA, as Annika Sorenstam put the years back to fight through to the weekend when she returned on an LPGA tour.

Sorenstam, her first official LPGA Tour tour since 2008, sent a one-under-71 card at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club – her home course – to advance the cut-off mark of two overs.

The 50-year-old, starting a bullet outside the cut-off mark after the first 75 rounds, started her second round with 10 pars just before following a 10-foot birdie at the second by 25-footer yoke at par- four next.

Sorenstam is a 72-time LPGA Tour winner

Sorenstam bounced back from a bogey in the fourth by slicing in from off the green seventh for an unlikely birdie, with the Swede dropping a shot at eighth and making a par at the last one to go into the last two rounds.

“I did my best,” said Sorenstam. “The goal was to shoot under par and I did that, so I can do it. Whatever happens, it happens from here. It’s been good, two wonderful days.

“As soon as I found out I had a lot of chances; I couldn’t make them on the face. You put a lot of pressure on yourself and you know you’re not making any ground. Then if me bogey suddenly I’m losing a lot of ground, so I put a lot of pressure on myself.

“The goal was to be a little more aggressive. I was at times; it wasn’t as big as I should have been. Overall, I’m very happy. A little bit in there didn’t hurt. , but, yeah, I look at it as a big tour. “

Sorenstam is expected to play in the U.S. Women’s Open later this summer

The top ten-time winner would be further up the board if it weren’t for mismanagement from being under a gate in her opening round, which led to a three-fold bog rack up rather than a lower number.

Sorenstam was told at the time by a rules officer that she had to take a non-play lie to get relief from the gate, although Golf Rules says the gate could be opened to play her second sight.

In a statement, the LPGA Circuit stated: “The prospective officer attached the word” essential “to the gate, meaning that it could not be moved.This was an error under the definition of Blocking in the Rules of Golf. a gate is considered movable if it is determined not to open (Rule 16), so it may be moved to allow the player to hit the bullet. “

Ko is at the top of the board at 10 under after rounds 65 and 69, with Nelly Korda getting a bullet back in second place after four under-68s were ruled out by three birdies in the five holes around end.

Ireland’s Leona Maguire is seven hits from distance and on three under alongside Georgia Hall, who made a car with three under-69s, and Charley Hull nine behind after a par-level 71.

Watch Gainbridge LPGA during the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Saturday from 5pm on Sky Sports Golf’s YouTube channel and via the red button on Sky Sports Golf.