Ochoa moves to the top in LPGA major

Rancho M[rage, Calif -- Lorena Ochoa moved into a tie for the lead at the LPGA's first major event of the year Friday and set up a possible weekend showdown with Annika Sorenstam.

Ochoa, who took over from Sorenstam as the world's No. 1 female golfer in April 2007, fired a 1-under 71 Friday on a difficult day to score at the Mission Hills course. That left her at 5-under 139 for 36 holes of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the same score posted by Heather Young.

Maria Hjorth and Mi Hyun Kim both shot a 70 in the strong winds and were tied for third at 140.

Sorenstam moved into a share of fifth place at 141 with Hee-Won Han. First-round leader Karen Stupples shot a 75 and was tied for seventh at 142.

Ochoa, who bogeyed her final hole in the opening round, bogeyed twice in the final six holes Friday.

She is seeking her second straight LPGA major championship. She won the Women's British Open last year.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.