Annika sets the pace

Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, the world number one, moved into a share of the halfway lead after a second-round 69, while Janice Moodie led the British challenge at just four behind after a 72 on a day of gusting winds in the US Women's Open at Prairie Dunes Country Club.

Sorenstam, who has won on her past two outings and seven times in all this year, finished on a one-under 139 together with two Americans, Juli Inkster and Laura Diaz, who both shot 72.

Moodie, the only Briton to have won on the LPGA Tour this year, finished three over par on 143, while Mhairi McKay, another two shots back after a 75, was also well-placed for a second-half charge.

English golfers Joanne Morley and Karen Stupples could also be proud of fighting comebacks, after they shared the honour of posting the best score of a difficult day - two-under-par 68 - to make the cut. Stupples recovered from an opening 80 to make it with a shot to spare on 148, while Morley was 10 shots better than her opening round for 146.

Laura Davies, with a 73 for an eight-over 148, and Catriona Matthew, who had a disappointing 80 and was on the cut-off 149 mark, were the other Britons to make the weekend.

But Sorenstam, the champion in 1995 and 1996, is the player the rest have to beat. The 31-year-old produced one of the day's best scores, although she did miss a short par putt at the last, and claimed she could have been a lot better. 'I'm happy, but I left a few out there,' she said. 'Still, I usually improve over the weekend.'

· You've read the piece, now have your say. Email your comments, as sharp or as stupid as you like, to the sport.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk.