Head leads Sorenstam in Dubai

Dubai: Johanna Head carded a sensational six-under 66 to go four shots clear of the retiring Annika Sorenstam as the Dubai Ladies Masters got underway at Emirates Golf Club yesterday.

Teeing off in the morning, Head birdied the second, fourth and seventh holes to make the turn on three-under. Her form continued on the back nine as she picked up shots on the tenth, 16th and 18th holes to return an unblemished card and storm into the lead.

"It was a great round, I had an excellent short game and I think that's the key to this golf course. The greens are quite good, so if you can get the ball on them then you have a good chance of making birdies," said the 35-year-old Briton.

"I was consistent with using the irons and one of my highlights was the fourth hole. I hit a five iron and had a 20 or 30 foot chip and I holed it which was really nice."

Of her five consecutive pars on the back nine, during which she kept her cool, she added: "I birdied a par three on hole ten and then went through a stretch for five holes where I didn't get any birdies and I was a little bit frustrated because I was leaving everything short.

"That is something I detest, leaving it short of the hole. I made one on 16 and had another chance on 17, but that came up short as well. Then I birdied on the 18th."

World No 3 Sorenstam, teeing off from the tenth, started in fine fashion and was three-under after just five holes.

However, she bogeyed twice on the last two holes of the front nine to make the turn with a lone shot in the bag. The bogeys were soon forgotten after another three quick birdies on the back nine took her to four-under, but her joy was short lived as she dropped a shot on the fifth and despite making it up with with a birdie on the seventh, ended the day at two-under 70 following a double-bogey on the par-five ninth as her shot span back into the water.

Sorenstam, who started last year's tournament shooting 70 on the opening day, was disappointed, but was confident she could up her game several notches over the next few days.

"I got off to a tremendous start. I really enjoyed playing the first 14 holes, but then my game collapsed over the last four. Luckily, it was just Thursday," said Sorenstam, who is part of a group of 11 players tied on 70.

"I'm glad with the way I played so far because I was making good shots and putts and I think overall I played quite well. There were a few mistakes, but I won't put it down to a lack of preparation as I'm not really sure whether it's about that or there are some other reasons."

Speaking about the disastrous final hole, she added: "I hit it short on the 18th so it rolled into the water and then I two-putted and hit a poor shot at the wrong time. The course was playing well, but a little differently. You have to be able to work the holes, but I know I can clean it up."

Germany's Anja Monke ended the day in second place, two strokes behind Head, and one ahead of a three-player group comprising Katharina Schallenberg, Veronica Zorzi and Maria Boden who were tied at 69.