KAHUKU — Annika Sorenstam was back in charge today.

Down to No. 4 in the world after years in the top spot, Sorenstam birdied five of the final seven holes for a 5-under 67 and a share of the second-round lead in the LPGA Tour's season-opening SBS Open.

"Today, I'm in control of my game. I feel I'm the boss out there," said Sorenstam, coming off an injury-shortened season where she failed to win for the first time since her rookie season in 1994. "I'm hitting where I want to hit it and that's been awhile."

Sorenstam pumped her fist, flashed a smile and waved to the roaring gallery after sinking an uphill 11-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th to match 23-year-old Erica Blasberg (68) at 7-under 137.

They were a stroke ahead of Japanese rookie Momoko Ueda (67), Jane Park (68), Laura Diaz (68) and 10-time winner Cristie Kerr (69). Players enjoyed a second day of mostly calm conditions at Turtle Bay with the wind picking up slightly late in the day.

The 54-hole tournament will end Saturday to accommodate television audiences in South Korea, where it will be Sunday and aired live by title sponsor SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System).

Sorenstam is seeking her 70th LPGA Tour win, and first since the State Farm Classic in September 2006. She has led going into the final round 69 times and has won 46 of those events. The last time was when she took a three-shot lead over Lorena Ochoa at the 2006 Samsung World Championship. She closed with a 70 and finished second.

"I've missed being in contention. I missed being in the last group," Sorenstam said. "I think that gave me a little energy and obviously it was important to feel like it's turning around, I'm getting better and I'm playing good golf again."

Sorenstam, overcame a double bogey on the 180-yard fourth hole and surged up the leaderboard with six birdies in the final 10 holes.

"I'm very pleased with the strong finish. That's always fun to see and fun to do," she said.

The 11-footer on the final hole was the longest of her birdie putts on the back nine. She also chipped in for birdie from 22 feet on the par-5 third and tapped in for birdie on the par-5 ninth.

Her only flaw of the day was a poor tee shot on the par-3 No. 4. Using a 7-iron, Sorenstam sailed her tee shot left into the marsh. She took a drop and two-putted for double bogey.

"I was just determined to hit fairways, hit greens and roll in some putts, which I did on the back nine," she said.

The 37-year-old Swede is healthy, focused and driven to reclaim the No. 1 ranking after being limited to 13 events last year because of neck and back injuries.

She had six top-10s finishes in 2007, but wasn't able to add to her trophy collection, which made her reflect on winning.

"I appreciated the wins that's for sure," she said. "When you step away a little bit, you realize, 'Wow. It's not easy.' And you appreciate when it does happen."

For several years, the game seemed so simple to Sorenstam. It got to the point where she said she got "very spoiled" with the winning.

"If I didn't win, I felt like, 'What's wrong?' I was so hard on myself," she said. "You feel the pressure having to perform every single day. That was hard. It wasn't a good place to be."

Now, she's enjoying golf and feels no pressure.

Sorenstam is playing at Turtle Bay for the first time and beginning her season a month earlier than usual. She's making her first appearance in Hawaii since winning the 2002 LPGA Takefuji Classic at Waikoloa.

While Sorenstam caught her groove on the back side, Blasberg made her move on the front. Seeking her first win in 57 career starts, Blasberg opened with a three-putt bogey and made three birdies in a seven-hole span to reach 6 under at the turn.

The Californian holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 14th for the outright lead before Sorenstam's birdie on 18.

Blasberg said she won't be intimidated by being paired with Sorenstam in front a big crowd.

"I don't think that fazes me so much," she said. I'm going to go out there and play golf and not really think too much about what's going on around me. ... Annika is awesome, so it'll be more fun, actually."

The former University of Arizona standout has never been in the final group. Her best tour finish is 18th in the 2007 Corona Championship. So, she had her eyes on the leaderboard all day.

"It's exciting," she said. "I was trying to focus on just playing well, not worrying about anything else."

Lindsey Wright was at 5 under after a 70.

First-round leader Kelli Kuehne began the day at 5 under with a one-stroke lead over Jacqueline Yang and couldn't get anything going. Kuehne double bogeyed No. 7, and followed with a bogey. She also bogeyed Nos. 13 and 16 and had another double bogey on No. 17 for a frustrating 79. She was 2 over.

Yang (72) remained at 4 under and was tied for eighth in a group that included 2007 rookie of the year Angela Park (65), In-Kyung Kim (70), Ji-Yai Shin (69), Sherri Steinhauer (71), Russy Gulyanamitta (69) and Na Min On (67).

Defending champion Paula Creamer was 1 under after a 73.

While Sorenstam's group commanded the largest gallery, the biggest media attraction was Ueda, who was followed by dozens of photographers from her native Japan.

The 21-year-old won the Mizuno Classic last year, becoming the 16th non-LPGA Tour member to win. She won five events on the JLPGA to become the youngest golfer to top the tour's money list.

Ueda said her goals are to win, play with as many different players and learn English.

"Good play today," she said in her only words without an interpreter.