Relief for Davies
Laura Davies finally made a cut on the American LPGA Tour this season at the Michelob ULTRA Open in Virginia.
But the big shock was that world number one Annika Sorenstam will miss the weekend action on the Tour for the first time in four years.
Australia’s Karrie Webb shot a 68 for eight under 134 to maintain her one-shot overnight lead, while defending champion Cristie Kerr, who won in Nashville last week, was alone in second on seven under.
The 28-year-old American birdied the 18th from 20-feet to slip one ahead of another member of last year’s winning US Solheim Cup team, Pat Hurst, who had a second successive 68.
Davies’ streak of seven tournaments without making a cut ended with a round of 74 that put her on the final mark of three over 145.
She had had two birdies and five bogeys, the last coming at her 17th hole.
Now that she’s got the monkey off her back, Davies is hoping for a weekend surge.
“It’s a relief to go through and maybe now I can relax a little,” she said.
Karen Stupples had a five-birdie round of 70 to move into a tie for 19th on one under par.
“I really feel I’ve turned things round,” said the 2004 Weetabix Women’s British Open champion, who had a relatively disappointing 2005 season.
“I’m beginning to forget the bad shots and get back on the offensive. That’s when I’m at my happiest.”
But the big surprise was Sorenstam missing the cut. She repeated her opening 73 to miss out by one shot on four over par 146.
It was her first missed cut on the LPGA since the 2002 Weetabix Women’s British Open at Turnberry and her first missed weekend outside the majors since the 1994 Jamie Farr Classic.
The day had started so brightly for the Swede when she made two birdies in the first three holes.
“At that point, I was hoping to turn things round,” said Sorenstam, who played with Webb and Kerr.
“It’s very disappointing because I feel I’m playing good golf, but just not converting the chances. There are obviously plenty of birdies out there, but I just wasn’t making them.”
It was the first time in 69 tournaments that Sorenstam had missed a cut.
Not that she was counting. “It’s not something I keep track off,” she said. “I only keep track of wins.”
This season, she notched the 67th LPGA victory of her career at the Mastercard Classic in Mexico in March, but came into this week at number four on the LPGA money list.
For Webb, the revival continues. She won the first major of the year – the Kraft Nabisco Championship – in March and has followed up with two seconds and a 10th.
“Second time round, I’m beginning to appreciate the success much more,” said the 31-year-old who preceded Sorenstam as world number one back in the late 1990s.
She had four birdies and just one bogey.
