Sorenstam fails to make the cut in Virginia

NEW YORK, May 13 (Reuters) Annika Sorenstam missed the halfway cut for the first time in four years at the Michelob Ultra Open in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The Swedish world number one, struggling with her putter, battled to a second successive two-over-par 73 yesterday on the Kingsmill River Course before ending the day in a tie for 72nd place.

''I was hoping it was going to turn around, I really was,'' Sorenstam told reporters after falling one stroke short of qualifying for the weekend.

''But then it just kept on going the way it's been going for a while.

''Obviously I'm very disappointed,'' added the Swede, whose last missed cut came at the 2002 Women's British Open. ''I feel like I'm playing good golf, it's just not turning out.

''I think I'm just playing the way I normally do. Today I hit 13 greens, yesterday 14 greens.

''There's no reason why I can't make any more birdies. I just have to keep on working and keep on grinding and stay positive.'' Sorenstam, who ended a run of 68 consecutive cuts made, failed to qualify for the weekend for only the ninth time on the LPGA Tour.

Seventy-one players advanced to the third round with first-day leader Karrie Webb of Australia one stroke ahead of the pack after carding a 68.

REUTERS PG PM0747