Sorenstam up at Senior Open

At 50, three-time U.S. Open champ debuting in event

Annika Sorenstam shot an even-par 72 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in Fairfield, Conn.

The 50-year-old Sorenstam, a three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion making her first appearance in the senior event, had an 8under 208 total at Brooklawn Country Club. Husband Mike McGee is working as her caddie.

“It was a roller-coaster,” Sorenstam said. “It was not as solid as the first two days. A few putts falling would have made it really sweet.”

Playing partner and fellow Swede Liselotte Neumann was second, closing with a bogey for a 71. She won the 1988 U.S. Women’s Open to become the first Swedish major champion.

“A little bit up and down today,” Neumann said. “Good putting, good short game, and I think starting the back nine, I started to get a little bit more comfortable. Overall, it sort of got better and better as the day went.”

Sorenstam has pointed to the championship since turning 50 in October.

“I would love to do well, of course,” Sorenstam said. “That is why I came here. I feel like I’m as prepared as I can be. I just want to trust myself and enjoy the walk. Hopefully I can keep it in the short grass.”

European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew was 4 under after a 71. Laura Davies (68) and Yuko Saito (74) were 2 under, and Kris Tschetterwas even after a 75.

Men, women together

English duo Jordan Smith and David Horsey will go head to head in the final round of the World Invitational as they both look to end long winless runs in Northern Ireland.

Smith claimed his first and only victory on the European Tour four years and one day ago in Germany, and a bogey-free round of 65 in Ballymena on Saturday moved him to 15 under and in pole position to win a second title.

For Horsey, it is nearly six years since he claimed his fourth tour victory, and he went one shot better than Smith to sit just one back with 18 holes to play.

In the women’s event, Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn signed for a 66 to surge up the leader board and share the top spot at 13 under with Americans Jennifer Kupcho and Emma Talley.

After eagling the third, Pajaree’s momentum stalled on the front nine but she came home in 30 with six birdies, making five in a row from the ninth.