Byrum Takes Lead in Las Vegas

Tom Byrum shot his second consecutive seven-under-par 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over Blaine McCallister after the second round of the Invensys Classic at Las Vegas.

Byrum, who missed the cut in three of his last five starts, used a stretch of five birdies in a row beginning on the sixth hole at the Desert Inn Country Club to help forge his slim lead in the 90-hole event.

First-round leader Bruce Lietzke slipped to a 71 after an opening 63 and was four back, and Casey Martin shot a 70 that left him tied with Lietzke at 10 under.

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Nobody was telling Annika Sorenstam to replay this chip shot.

The Swedish star, still smarting from a controversial decision in the Solheim Cup last weekend, holed a 35-foot birdie chip on the 15th hole en route to a three-under 69 and a share of the first-round lead in the Samsung World Championship at Vallejo, Calif.

Pat Hurst, Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon also opened with 69s in the invitation-only event featuring only 20 players.

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Weakened by call-ups to next week’s Presidents Cup, the United States lost, 2-1, to Australia at the Dunhill Cup at St. Andrews, Scotland, and needs to beat a strong Argentine team to stay in the competition.