DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Annika Sorenstam had an eagle and four birdies in a 6-under 66 yesterday that gave her a one-shot lead after the second round of the Dubai Ladies Masters, her last tournament before retiring.

After dropping two shots on her final two holes Thursday, Sorenstam managed a bogey-free second round to sit at 8-under 136, one shot ahead of Nikki Garrett of Australia.

First-round leader Johanna Head of England was among three players tied for third, another shot back.

"I was very pleased with the front nine today," said Sorenstam, who is aiming to win the tournament for the third straight year. "A nice eagle on the third hole where I hit a 5-iron to 10 feet and rolled that in. That kick-started my day right there."

Head looked likely to keep a share of the lead before a late double bogey pushed her back.

Laura Davies of England shot a 69 and was among three players tied at 5-under 139.

Sorenstam started with a couple of pars before her eagle on the par-5 third. She then picked up three more shots on the front nine, before adding another birdie on the 13th.

"My goal was to clean up the round that I had yesterday with no bogeys and I was able to do that," Sorenstam said. "So, I am very pleased about that. We have a long way to go but I am very happy with the round and where I am."

ELSEWHERE

Australian Open: Australia's Stephen Dartnell shot a 4-under 68 to take a two-stroke lead after the completion of the suspended second round of the Australian Open at Sydney.

The 24-year-old Dartnell is at 11-under 133 on the Royal Sydney Golf Club course. Dartnell was one of 72 players to finish their second rounds.

Alfred Dunhill: American Len Mattiace carded a 4-under 68 to join England's Robert Rock (67) and Sweden's Oskar Henningsson (64) as co-leaders halfway through the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Makelane, South Africa.

They were at 11-under 133, one shot ahead of Richard Sterne (66) in the European Tour event at Leopard Creek.

Merrill Lynch: Jeff Sluman made a 35-foot downhill birdie from off the green on No. 18 as he and Nick Price combined for an 8-under 64 (alternate shot) that gave them a one-stroke lead over Scott Hoch and Kenny Perry at the Merrill Lynch Shootout at Naples, Fla.

Sluman and Perry could become the first Champions Tour players to win the $2.9 million Shootout, a 12-team event that continues with a better-ball format today, and a scramble tomorrow.