Stomach ache fails to stop Sorenstam charge

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters) - Three-times winner Annika Sorenstam shrugged off stomach pain for her last nine holes to climb into contention at the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Friday.

The Swedish former world number one shot a two-under-par 70 in stifling conditions at Mission Hills Country Club to end the second round two strokes off the lead.

"I live in Florida and I should be used to this (heat)," Sorenstam told reporters after posting a three-under total of 141 in the opening women's major of the year.

"I just have a terrible stomach ache. I don't know what it is. I've had it for about nine holes and it's not going away. I feel a bit nauseous, so I'm going to go in and get some rest."

The 37-year-old mixed four birdies with two bogeys to edge up the leaderboard on a grueling day when the greens at Mission Hills ran fast and firm.

"We have a long way to go and I just want to get some rest and get ready for tomorrow," the Swede said.

"This course is tough enough. I don't need a stomach ache on top of it. It's a challenge, so one thing at a time."

Sorenstam, winner of the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2001, 2002 and 2005, was happy with her all-round game going into the last two rounds.