Annika Sorenstam shot a 5-under 67 in her first competitive round of the year yesterday to finish tied for the lead with Italy's Silvia Cavalleri in the LPGA MasterCard Classic at Huixquilucan, Mexico.

The world No. 1 stayed consistent, hitting fairways and reaching greens easily before sinking a 7-foot putt on the par-5 No. 18 for her fifth birdie.

Sorenstam, who sat out the first two tournaments of the season in Hawai'i last month, also made her 2005 debut here, winning the 54-hole event just outside of Mexico City.

"I felt, I wouldn't say pressure, but I wanted to perform because I've felt like I've had a good practice session the last two weeks and I felt really good about my game," said the 35-year-old Swede, who has 10 titles to defend this year.

Norway's Suzann Pettersen, limited to just nine tournaments last year because of a back injury, was in third place after the opening round, at 4-under.

PGA TOUR

TOMS LEADS HONDA

David Toms shot his second straight 67 yesterday and had a one-stroke lead over Billy Mayfair after two rounds of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Toms is at 10-under 134 after 36 holes at The Country Club at Mirasol. Mayfair birdied four of his final five holes for 67—135.

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson, a Castle High alum, shot his second consecutive 71 and was in a group of seven at 142.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

QUALIFIER OPENS WITH 67

Monday qualifier Mitch Adcock shot a 5-under 67 to take the lead after the first round of the AT&T Classic by one stroke over Ben Crenshaw and Jay Sigel.

Adcock shot a 4-under 32 on the front nine and missed a 5-foot par putt on the final hole at Valencia Country Club for the outright lead.

HAWAI'I STATE AMATEUR

KOP OPENS WITH A 67

Former champion Brandan Kop fired a 4-under-par 67 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead over Ty Rinoski and Toru Nakajima after the first round of the rain-shortened Hawai'i State Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Pearl Country Club.

Jay Hinazumi shot a 69 at the PCC course, shortened to par-71 when wet grounds forced officials to turn the par-4 seventh hole into a par-3.

Thursday's first round was canceled because of rain and the tournament was shortened to 54 holes.

The cut for the final two rounds was 5-over 77 with 39 players qualifying.

The second round tees off this morning at 11:24 off the first tee.