Sorenstam misses the cut

Annika Sorenstam had two hours to wait after finishing play to see if the Kingsmill River Course that had frustrated her again would help keep her in the Michelob Ultra Open in Williamsburg, Va., by doing the same to others.

“We’ll see. It’s a long day left,” she said.

Not long enough. With a second straight 2-over-par 73 Friday, the top player in women’s golf missed the cut for the first time since 2002. She finished in a tie for 72nd, with the top 71 players continuing into today on the 6,306-yard layout.

Sorenstam had made 68 straight cuts before enduring another day with a balky putter, even as playing partners Karrie Webb and Cristie Kerr did well.

Webb, the first-round leader, is at 8-under 134 after a 68 and leads Kerr by one shot and Pat Hurst by two. Kerr shot a 66, and Hurst had her second consecutive 68. Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot 71 and is nine shots off the pace.

For Sorenstam, who had finished no better than sixth in three prior appearances at the $2.2 million event, it marked only the second time in 143 events that she failed to make the cut, dating to June 1999, and the first time in 198 non-major events. The last time she missed the cut in a non-major was the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic in July 1994. She also dropped out after 36 holes in the PGA Tour’s 2003 Colonial.

PGA

Arron Oberholser knew as soon as he struck the putt that he had missed his chance at history.

Instead of becoming the fourth player to shoot a 59 in a PGA Tour event, Oberholser settled for a 10-under 60 and the Byron Nelson Championship tournament record in Irving, Texas.

His 15-foot birdie attempt on the 18th hole curled and settled about a foot right of the cup.

After an opening 74, Oberholser moved within four shots of co-leaders Adam Scott and Brett Wetterich, both at 10-under 130 through two rounds.

Champions Tour

Bobby Wadkins set a course record on the newest Champions Tour venue, shooting a 9-under 62 to grab the first-round lead in the $1.6 million Boeing Championship at Destin, Fla.

British Masters

Paul Casey shot a 6-under 66 to open a three-stroke lead at the halfway stage at The Belfry at Sutton Coldfield, England. Casey has a total of 133, with Darren Clarke in second place after his 70.