Golf: Sorentsam turns up the heat, but still hope for Wie

PALM DESERT, California - Annika Sorenstam's bid for a record fifth victory in the Women's World Championship is gaining pace.

The Swede birdied four of the last five holes in a third round 66 to take a four-shot lead over South Korea's Gloria Park who fired a 68.

Michelle Wie could not quite repeat her magical form of a second round 65 but was far from out of it after a 71 for third place on 10-under, five behind Sorenstam.

Wie, making her professional debut, birdied the last from 18-feet to stay in contention.

Sorenstam started the day two off the lead, but had a run of three birdies in a row from the third and another from a bunker at the par five seventh.

The world number one did drop shots at the ninth and 11th but then picked it up again over the closing stretch with another three-in-a-row run of birdies.

They were all from around the 12-feet range, from the 14th, and then she hit a wedge to within inches of the hole at the par four last.

"I started strong and finished great," was how the defending champion summed up her day. "It was a very solid round and now I'm just looking forward to a great Sunday.

"Sometimes I try too hard and try to force the putts home, but today I stayed relaxed and they started to go in."

Wie started by three-putting the second and third in a par, bogey, double-bogey start, but salvaged her round with four birdies, three of them in a back nine of 33.

"I started off playing stupid but got smart on the back nine," she said. "I'm pleased I managed to bring it round and that I'm still in contention.

"I didn't really play very well today, but hopefully tomorrow will be better."

Gloria Park had a bogey-free 68 to edge into second place, but Grace Park (no relation), two ahead at the start of the day, finished eight behind after a 76.

Her round featured a quadruple bogey seven at the short eighth where she hit into the rocks and had a penalty drop.

If Sorenstam triumphs today it will be the first time that she has won the same tournament five times. It will also be her eighth win on the LPGA Tour in 2005 and her ninth worldwide.

- REUTERS