Sorenstam, Koch lead International team

SINGAPORE – Annika Sorenstam and Carin Koch beat Joo Mi Kim and Sakura Yokomine 3 and 2 today in alternate-shot play to help the International team tie Asia 3-3 after the first round of the Lexus Cup.

Sorenstam and Koch, the Swedish stars who have played well together in Solheim Cup competition, overcame an early two-hole deficit to beat Kim and Yokomine on Tanah Merah Country Club’s renovated Garden Course.

The teams will play six best-ball matches Saturday and the LPGA Tour-sanctioned event will conclude Sunday with 12 singles matches.

Young stars Julieta Granada and Morgan Pressel gave the International team another point, beating Se Ri Pak and Hee-Won Han 4 and 3.