(Evian-les Bains, France, June 13 2002) Karine Icher from France is desperately trying to make up for National pride this week as she breezed into a one shot lead after the second round of the$2.1million Evian Masters beside the banks of Lake Geneva.

With the French National football team winging their way home after a goalless first round exit to the World Cup, the 23-year-old from Châteauroux fired a faultless six under par 66 to add to her opening 68 and heads three of the best players in the world.

Pak – going for back to back wins

“No bogey’s again, it’s easier that way,” said Icher, whose last dropped shot came at the seventh hole in the final round at the Spanish Open two weeks ago.

“No, nothing to lose, I do not have the fate of the World, it’s my second year on Tour and I am still learning.”

Pak started the day at one under par and made a fast move with birdies at the first and fourth. Despite a bogey at the fifth, the World number two responded with a birdie at the seventh and an eagle after chipping in at the ninth from 25 feet to turn in 32.

She followed up with more birdies at the tenth, 12th, 14th and 16th and spoiled her card with a three putt from short range at the par three 17th. But a birdie at the last saw her equal Laura Davies’ year-old course record.

“The first couple of days here I struggled,” said Pak, who arrived jet lagged after a gruelling week at the MacDonald’s Championship.

“Even when I play golf, my eyes are sore and tired, but the way I am swinging feels great, I’ve hit it close by the pin and made a lot of putts today, it was fun.”

Sorenstam, in a relaxed mood after her round, rattled in five birdies for her flawless 67 and is threatening to steal this Tournament away from the field. But she knows that two more low rounds are needed to win this event and the $315,000 first prize.

“If you look on that leaderboard, there are a lot of players up there, I know they can all shoot low, so I am planning to shoot lower every day,” said Sorenstam.

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