Early exit for Sorenstam at Tour Championship

MIAMI, Nov 18 (Reuters) Twice defending champion Annika Sorenstam has missed the second-round cut by one shot at the season-ending Tour Championship in West Palm Beach.

The world number one holed a 20-foot par putt at the last for a level-par 72 but it was not enough for her to join the leading 16 players from the 32-strong field in today's third round.

Sorenstam finished at two-over 146, nine strokes behind tournament leader Ai Miyazato of Japan, who shot a 69.

''I didn't have much going for me today,'' the Swede told reporters after missing only her sixth LPGA Tour cut in 250 starts since 1995 yesterday. ''I came here prepared and it happens.

''I really tried and there was nothing I did wrong. I looked at the leaderboard and I wasn't making any moves. I was actually falling backwards, and that's not a good feeling.

''It's just one of those weeks. It's not for the lack of trying.'' Sorenstam was always going to be up against it after battling to a 74 in the opening round at Trump International.

Her early exit leaves Mexican Lorena Ochoa and Australia's Karrie Webb in a two-way battle for the LPGA Tour's money list title.

Ochoa, who clinched Player of the Year honours last week by winning the Tournament of Champions in Mobile, Alabama, narrowly made the halfway cut at one over after carding a 70.

The Mexican, one of six players tied for 14th at one over, joined two others in the third round after squeezing through a three-hole, sudden-death playoff.

Webb was five strokes better in a tie for third place after adding a 71 to her opening 69.

The top eight players after Saturday's third round will qualify for Sunday's 18-hole shootout when a first prize of $1 million, the largest in tour history, will be up for grabs.

REUTERS AY BST0937