KIAWAH ISLAND, South Carolina, 16 November 2003 — South Africans Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini shot a 69 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over the United States and France at the World Golf Championships-World Cup.

Conditions were far calmer for the first alternate-shot format round than they had been for the blustery first-round best-ball on Thursday.

The South Africans’ 69 gave them a five-under total of 139, two strokes ahead of Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard of the United States and France’s Thomas Levet and Raphael Jacquelin.

Furyk and Leonard posted the second-best round of the day at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a 2-under 70 for 141. Levet and Jacquelin shot a 72.

The Welsh team of Ian Woosnam and Bradley Dredge were three strokes behind the leaders at 142, and Argentina’s Eduardo Romero and Angel Cabrera next on 143.

Considered favorites headed into the event because of their world rankings, Furyk and Leonard began to develop some chemistry Friday, totaling three birdies and a bogey. They played the last 11 holes in 2-under.

Delasin, Han Share Slim Lead in Tournament of Champions

In Mobile, Alabama, Dorothy Delasin and South Korea’s Hee-Won Han both carded 71s on Friday to share the halfway lead in the Mobile LPGA Tournament of Champions.

Overcoming treacherous greens on a benign day in Alabama, Delasin matched Han’s 36-hole total of 1-under 143. South Korean Mi-Hyun Kim and Lorie Kane of Canada were the only other players at par.

“For the greens to be as firm as they are, in some cases you’re hitting good shots and are not able to hold the corner of the greens,” said Hall of Famer Beth Daniel, who is just two strokes off the pace, tied with Rosie Jones. The best scenario for Delasin is to win this tournament and earn a spot in next week’s ADT Championship in West Palm Beach, Florida. It’s either that, or return home to San Francisco.

Delasin played the first 11 holes in 2-over, but she birdied Nos. 14, 16 and 17. None of her birdie putts were longer than five feet, which worked to her advantage on Magnolia’s firm and fast greens.

Annika Tames Male Rivals to Lead in Skins Tournament

In Singapore, the world’s number one woman golfer, Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, tamed her male competitors to grab the lead Saturday in a skins tournament.

The golfing superstar won two holes on the front nine at the Tanah Merah Country Club to lead Retief Goosen of South Africa, fellow Swede Jesper Parnevik and local challenger Lam Chih Bing on the trail.

Sorenstam, who became the first woman in 58 years to play in a US PGA Tour event at the Colonial Classic in May, fired off her challenge to the men with an eagle on the par five second hole, after Goosen had taken the first hole.

Each bagged $5,000.

The next two holes were halved and the lady golfer was up to the challenge on the par-three fifth, pocketing a cool $15,000 with a birdie.