FORT WORTH, Texas, May 23 (UPI) -- Annika Sorenstam's bid to make the cut at the Bank of America Colonial wilted away Friday, leaving Kenny Perry and Dan Forsman to share the lead in a tournament that made PGA Tour history.
Sorenstam, the first female to play on the PGA Tour in 58 years, saw her hopes of playing on the weekend crushed during an eight-hole stretch in the middle of the second round. She made five bogeys in that span as her short game deserted her.
"This is way over my head," the No. 1 player in women's golf said at the end of one of the unique 48 hours in the history of her sport. "I am not as tough as I thought I was. I need to go back to my own tour where I belong."
She shot a 4-over 74 over the Colonial Country Club course to give her a 36-hole total of 5-over 145. The cut came at 1-over 141, one shot away from equaling the lowest cut figure in the history of the event.
Perry shot a 64 in the morning while Forsman managed a 66 in the building heat of the afternoon, putting them in a tie for the lead at 8-under 132. Jim Furyk was alone in third place at 133 while those tied at 134 included Chad Campbell, Tim Petrovic, Jim Williamson, first-round leader Rory Sabbatini and Jesper Parnevik.
Sorenstam shot a 1-over 71 Thursday with the eyes of the sports world watching her every move. That put her in position to make the cut, which was her avowed goal.
That goal seemed within reach Friday when she rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt at the par-4 second, putting her at even par for the tournament.
But it all began to fade away on the fifth hole, the hardest test on one of the most treasured venues on the PGA Tour.
Her tee shot on the 470-yard, par-4 hole hit an overhanging limb on one of the scores of oak trees that line the right side of the fairway. The ball stayed in bounds, but she was 277 yards from the green and all she could do was advance her second shot to about 130 yards from the putting surface.
From there, Sorenstam hit a poor shot to the back edge of the green and had to make a five-foot putt just to save a bogey.
She went on to hit a poor chip shot at the par-4 sixth for another bogey and three-putted the eighth, 10th and 12th holes as well to lose shots to par.
Sorenstam parred the final six holes, but the damage was done. She did manage an inspirational finish, however, when she drove into the trees to the left of the 18th fairway, laid up short of the green, chipped to within eight feet and made the putt for par.
The thousands of fans lining the 18th fairway gave her a huge ovation when the ball went in the hole for the final time and Sorenstam wiped away the tears as she received hugs from playing partners Dean Wilson and Aaron Barber.
"I don't know why I am crying," Sorenstam said moments after she finished her round. "I guess it is because I can't come back tomorrow. I tried and tried and had the best time of my life.
"I was so nervous. And I never had a feel for the greens. But I will remember all the people -- the crowd. They were fantastic. They were cheering me from the first tee to the 18th. I wish I had played a little better today."
Having hit 15 of 18 greens in the first round, Sorenstam hit only 10 Friday.
Although her appearance on the men's tour touched off a debate among PGA members, Sorenstam was welcomed warmly by the sellout crowd that lined the fairways.
"Come back next year," one fan yelled out as Sorenstam walked off the 17th green.
Sorenstam finished tied for 96th out of an original field of 114. Among those who finished behind Sorenstam were former PGA champion Mark Brooks, a Colonial member; 2002 Players Championship winner Craig Perks and Bob Estes. Sorenstam also defeated Barber, one of her playing partners, by two shots.
"I was proud of the way she composed herself and held herself together," said Wilson, who made the cut by firing a 3-under 67. "I think it is too much pressure to be put on one person. I am proud of her."
