Ochoa Grabs One-Shot Lead At LPGA Championship; Sorenstam Four Back

June 6, 2008 9:20 p.m. EST

Havre De Grace, MD (AHN) -- Lorena Ochoa putted for birdies 17 times on the way to a 7-under 65 in what she called her best round of the year and a one-stroke lead on Friday in the McDonald's LPGA Championship.

The 26-year-old Ochoa missed only one fairway all round and didn't have a par putt longer than three feet. Her longest birdie putt was 25 feet and she missed three birdie putts inside eight feet.

Said Ochoa, "It was very easy. I did enjoy it a lot. I'm going to try and do two more rounds like that."

Ochoa has won the last two LPGA majors, winning the British Open at St. Andrews and Kraft Nabisco Championship by a combined nine shots.

The 65 matched Ochoa's best score in 2008 and her best round in a major by three shots.

Her 10-under 134 after two rounds is the lowest 36-hole score at Bulle Rock since the LPGA Championship moved here in 2005.

Lindsey Wright, who has never finished better than fourth on the Tour, is one-shot back at 9-under for the tournament after a second-round 68. She held the lead until stumbling twice on her back nine.

Lorie Kane had three straight birdies to briefly catch Ochoa, but instead ended the day with a 70 and is two shots off the pace.

Three-time LPGA champion Annika Sorenstam shot a 68, but remains four shots behind the Tour's No. 1 player.

Said Sorenstam, "I think I'm in good shape. I played well here in the past. It's a major, and 36 holes is nothing. The way I'm hitting it, I'm just waiting for the putts to drop. It could be a lot of fun."

Brittany Lang, Ji-Young Oh and Rachel Hetherington are all tied for fourth at 7-under.

Morgan Pressel, playing with Ochoa, had seven birdies, but also had five bogeys on the way to a 70 and is eight shots off the pace.