OTSU, Japan – Annika Sorenstam birdied the final two holes Saturday to stay in contention for her record fifth straight victory at the Mizuno Classic, shooting a 5-under 67 to trail leader Young Kim by a stroke.

“I have the opportunity to do something that no one else has done,” Sorenstam said. “So obviously, I’d like to make the most out of it. I’m going to chase her all day long.”

Sorenstam is tied with Laura Davies for the LPGA Tour record for consecutive victories in a tournament with four. Davies won the Standard Register Ping from 1994-97.

On the PGA Tour, only Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen and Tiger Woods have won the same tournament four straight times.

Sorenstam had six birdies and a bogey in the second round on the Seta course for a 13-under 131 total heading into the final round.

Sorenstam, a nine-stroke winner each of the last two years, is 87 under in her last 14 rounds in the event. The Swedish star has eight LPGA Tour victories this year and won a European tour event in Sweden. She has 64 career LPGA Tour victories.

Kim, who opened with a 63 on Friday for a one-stroke lead over Sorenstam, had eight birdies and three bogeys in her 67. The 25-year-old South Korean player is winless in three full seasons on the LPGA Tour.

“It was a good experience playing with Annika,” Kim said. “I felt comfortable out there today. I’ll just try my best every shot and hope to do well.”

Filipino star Jennifer Rosales (65) was two strokes back, followed by Karrie Webb (66) and Jeong Jang (67). Karen Icher had a 64, the best round of the day, and is tied for eighth place.

On the men’s side, Woods won four straight at the Bay Hill Invitational (2000-03), Hagen won at the PGA Championship (1924-27) and Sarazen won at the Miami Open (1926, 28-30) over a five-year span because the event wasn’t held in 1927.

AP-ES-11-05-05 1441EST


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.