Despite felling under the weather the Swede hit a 65 to lead by one shot from South Koreans Grace and Gloria Park, with a round to play.

Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie were the leading British players in the wet and windy conditions - both just outside the top 10 and five shots off the lead.

But Laura Davies, runner-up to Sorenstam last year, failed to find a spark.

She followed an opening 73 with a two-over-par 74 and was well down the elite field of 78 on three-over 147.

Matthew had a 69, dropping her only shot of the day at the 18th, while Moodie finished birdie, birdie for a 70 to stay in touch.

"The conditions made it really tough," said Florida-based Moodie.

"But I played well and five shots might not be too many. It's tough with Annika at the top, but anything is still possible."

Moodie is the only British player to have won on Tour this year - at the Asahi Ryokuken International in May - while Matthew is the best of the Brits on the LPGA money list, in 15th place with $532,640.

Sorenstam has already won a record $2,479,404 - but still wants more titles.

If she does win on Sunday, she will become the first player in 34 years to win 10 times in one year on the LPGA Tour.

She has also won twice on the Evian Tour this year - the Australian Masters and the Compaq Open in her native Sweden.

The two Parks both shot 69 to stay in touch, while yet another South Korean, Se Ri Pak, and Japan's Akiko Fukushima were in joint fourth, three off the lead on seven-under 137.