GOLF ROUNDUP

GOLF ROUNDUP
Friday's other events
ShopRite LPGA Classic
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- Trying to snap out of an uncharacteristic victory drought, defending champion Annika Sorenstam shot a 7-under 64 for a share of the first-round lead. Winless in her last six starts, Sorenstam sank a 7-foot putt for eagle on the ninth hole and gained momentum from there, making four back-nine birdies to move into a tie with Michele Redman. Sorenstam also won the 1998 and 2002 titles. Laura Diaz, Seon-Hwa Lee and Amy Hung were one stroke back, and Erica Blasberg, Sophie Gustafson, Catriona Matthew, Ai Miyazato and 18-year-old Morgan Pressel opened with 66s. Lorena Ochoa, the tour's leading money winner this year, shot a 70.
Allianz Championship
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Scott Simpson shot a 7-under 64, one stroke off the tournament record, to take a one-stroke lead over Doug Tewell, Jim Thorpe, Bruce Lietzke and Mark McNulty after the first round. Seventeen players were within three shots of the lead, including defending champion Tom Jenkins and Loren Roberts, a three-time winner this year. Simpson had six birdies in a front-nine 29. A bogey on 12 dropped him back into the pack, but Simpson birdied No. 17 -- a 467-yard, par-4 hole considered one of Glen Oaks' toughest -- and made par on 18 to grab the lead.
Wales Open
NEWPORT, Wales -- Sweden's Robert Karlsson followed his opening 61 with a 63 to break the PGA European Tour record for 36 holes. Karlsson's 14-under 124 total on the par-69 Roman Road Course at Celtic Manor left him four strokes ahead of Englishmen Philip Archer, Simon Dyson and Paul Broadhurst. The tournament is being played on the Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed Roman Road layout while the adjacent Wentwood Hills course is renovated for the 2010 Ryder Cup.
Associated Press