SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD US unless stated -2 Nicole Perrot (Chi) level Michelle Wie (am), Lorena Ochoa (Mex) +1 Rachel Hetherington (Aus), Paula Creamer, Angela Stanford +2 Karine Icher (Fr), Morgan Pressel (am)

The 21-year-old former US Junior champion posted three birdies.

But world number one Annika Sorenstam, bidding for the grand slam, finished with three consecutive bogeys and is six shots adrift at four over.

Teenage sensation Michelle Wie is well positioned in a share of second with Lorena Ochoa after a determined 73.

Perrot, who missed the cut in her two previous appearances at this event, is in her first full season on the LPGA Tour and has recorded two top-10 finishes.

"Now I need to stay focused over the final two rounds and I also want to have fun," she said.

There are still 36 holes left and there are birdies to be made out there so there's plenty time to catch up Annika Sorenstam

Wie was in confident mood after sending a seven-iron to within two feet for a birdie at the ninth, her closing hole.

"I definitely feel I'm playing well enough to win and I'm happy with my position," she said.

"My goal was to play consistent rounds under par and I didn't quite manage it, but I'm going to improve."

Sorenstam drove into the rough at both the 16th and 17th to drop shots, and another followed when she was short at the last.

"It was frustrating, but these days happen and I just want to forget about it," said the Swedish star, who refused to rule herself out of contention for the title.

"There are still 36 holes left and there are birdies to be made out there so there's plenty time to catch up.

"I don't think there was anything wrong with my course management, I just need to make more putts.

"I was making good strokes, but it's always difficult in the afternoon when the greens get bumpy."

Another teenager, Paula Creamer, moved into fourth after a superb 69, which included an eagle two at the 10th when she holed her eight-iron approach from 132 yards.

Britons Karen Stupples and Catriona Matthew are in a share for ninth place at three over.

British Open champion Stupples, struggling for form a shade this season, picked up two birdies in her 70 and said: "I've felt my game coming round and this was better."

Matthew, with six top-10s on the LPGA Tour this season, had a tap-in birdie on the 16th against two dropped shots.

"Sometimes you have to make yourself take a four wood from the tee," she said. "It's all about placement."

Johanna Head finished five over but the cut came at plus eight, and Joanne Morley, Becky Morgan, Trish Johnson and Laura Davies were on the wrong side.

Former champion Davies finished 23 over after adding an 81 to her 84 of the first day.