Williamsburg, Va. -- It was the marquee threesome of the day -- the woman who once ruled women's golf, the woman who does now and the defending tournament champion.
Karrie Webb outplayed a struggling Annika Sorenstam and Cristie Kerr yesterday, making eight birdies in a five-under-par 66 to lead after the first round of the LPGA Michelob Ultra Open -- and to show that the two-time player of the year has got her game back.
Webb has a one-shot lead over Jimin Kang.
Sorenstam continued to be baffled by the River Course at Kingsmill, and by her inconsistency, managing only one birdie in a two-over 73 on the 6,306-yard layout.
More Stories
"It's been like this the last four tournaments," the world's top-ranked player said after signing her card. "Same thing. I'm playing well. I just can't get it going. I'm making nothing. I don't know. I'm very disappointed and upset at the moment."
In three prior visits to Kingsmill, Sorenstam's best finish was sixth in 2003, not the kind of performance the winner of 67 career tournaments accepts readily.
It didn't help that Webb started off sizzling. She was one under after three holes, then went into a string of five birdies in seven holes to get to six under after 10.
Sorenstam would have loved to get on the birdie train, but never did.
"It just wouldn't happen. I don't know what to say other than that," she said.
Alena Sharp of Hamilton had a solid round of one-under 70 to sit in a tie for 13th. Lorie Kane of Charlottetown was tied for 46th at one over, A.J. Eathorne of Penticton, B.C., sat tied for 96th at three over, and Dawn Coe-Jones of Lake Cowichan, B.C., tied for 119th at five over.
10