Sorenstam pulls away into lead

Just when it looked like a bad day was about to get worse, Annika Sorenstam turned a good break into a birdie that changed everything Friday in the season-ending ADT Championship at West Palm Beach, Fla.

Sorenstam kept pace with a steady charge from Karrie Webb, then pulled away with back-to-back birdies late in the second round for a 4-under 68 that set the 36-hole record at Trump International. She took a three-shot lead over Webb, Laura Diaz and Cristie Kerr.

“I’ve got a little lead, but not a comfortable lead at all,” said Sorenstam, who was at 10-under 134.

It changed for the better on the par-5 ninth.

Sorenstam was even par for her round, and her body language showed utter frustration — she shook her head and slumped her shoulders. When she walked off the eighth green, she no longer had the lead. Then, her 7-wood from 214 yards on No. 9 sailed high and to the right, headed for trouble.

Sorenstam hit a wedge into 6 feet for an unlikely birdie that lifted her spirits. Four birdies on the back nine gave her a cushion that might look even bigger considering who’s in front.

Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., is in 14th place at 142.

Woods leads by three strokes

Tiger Woods held a three-stroke lead halfway through the Dunlop Phoenix at Miyazaki, Japan, hoping to end a drought that has left him without a title since February.

Woods shot a 3-under 67 that gave him a score of 8-under 132 after two rounds in the $1.89 million event, the richest on the Japanese tour. Kaname Yokoo of Japan also shot a 67 for 135. Christian Pena of the U.S. had the day’s best round at 63 and was at 136.

Casey, Donald surge ahead

Englishmen Paul Casey and Luke Donald surged to a five-stroke lead in the second round of the team World Cup at Seville, Spain, after shooting an 8-under-par 64.

Scott Verplank and Bob Tway, competing for the Americans, are six strokes back.

International team takes lead

An international team took a 3 1/2 to 2 1/2 lead over the United States after the first round of the $3 million UBS Cup at Kiawah Island, S.C., the Ryder Cup-style competition the Americans have never lost.

Now in its fourth year, the match play competition features teams of 40-and-older players, one from the United States and one from the rest of the world.

Triplett among leaders

Kirk Triplett, formerly of Pullman, and PGA Tour rookie Ryan Palmer each shot a 6-under 66 and moved into a tie for the lead with Nationwide Tour player Nick Watney after two rounds of the Pebble Beach Invitational at Pebble Beach, Calif.

Triplett, who won the event in 1996, moved to 9-under 135 on a clear, near windless day at Spyglass Hill Golf Course, one of the three courses used in the tournament.