Yuri Fudoh of Japan follows through on her second shot on the 16th at the British Open on Friday. Yuri Fudoh of Japan follows through on her second shot on the 16th at the British Open on Friday. (Alistair Grant/Associated Press)

Yuri Fudoh of Japan shot a 4-under 68 Friday to lead by one stroke and equal the halfway record at the Women's British Open in Sunningdale, England, while Annika Sorenstam's 72 will be just enough to make the cut.

Fudoh was at 10-under 134 to tie the record set by Jeong Jang of South Korea, who won three years ago at Royal Birkdale. American Juli Inkster (70) is one shot back, with Bo Bae Song (68) two strokes behind the leader.

The 48-year-old Inkster, aiming to become the oldest winner of a women's major, followed up with 65 on Thursday, which tied an Open record for best first-round score.

"It was a lot harder today," said Inkster. "I kind of just managed my game today. The wind was going different ways."

Song shot her 68 despite a bogey on the last hole. The South Korean drove into the rough. Her second shot found a fairway bunker, and she pitched out to 60 yards from the green before ending up with a bogey 5.

"We've still got a lot of golf to play and it's only been the first two days," Song said through an interpreter. "I'm not surprised. I think I've played up to my capabilities so I'm not very surprised where I am."

Natalie Gulbis had a 68 to move within three shots of the leader and tied with Ai Miyazato of Japan (69) and last year's Open winner, Lorena Ochoa of Mexico (68).

"I birdied the first two holes, it was nice to take advantage of the two par-5s," Gulbis said. "And I managed to take advantage of another par-5 for a birdie. I think anything in the 60s is going to be pretty good today."

3 eagles for Diaz

Laura Diaz was two off the lead after an even par 72 that included three eagles, the third time that's been done on the LPGA Tour.

"I've never had two," the American said. "I know it's a record for me and I was hoping it was an LPGA record. I was going for the fourth at 14, but I ran it by [the hole]. I thought I hit a good putt, went past it, didn't even make birdie."

Sorenstam, 37, stumbled over the front nine for the second day in a row, bogeying the fifth, sixth and seventh holes.

After shooting 72 Thursday, Sorenstam was at 3 over after seven holes and in danger of failing to make it to the weekend of her final major before she quits tournament golf at the end of the year.

The Swede, owner of 10 majors and 72 career titles on the LPGA Tour, responded with three birdies in a row at the ninth, 10th and 11th holes to finish at even-par 144 — safe from the projected cut of 1-over.

Jang, the surprise 2005 winner, was 3-over after 13 holes when she retired with a wrist injury.

Canada's Alena Sharp will miss the cut. The Hamilton native was 3-over with two holes to play on Friday. She shot a 77 on Thursday.