Lorena Ochoa tightened her grip on a second successive major title by surging four shots clear midway through yesterday's final round at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in California.

The 26-year-old Mexican, a stroke ahead overnight, reeled off four birdies in a flawless display over the front nine at Mission Hills Country Club to reach the turn in four-under 32.

That left Ochoa, who clinched her maiden major title at last year's British Open, at 10 under overall on a breezy sun-drenched day as she closed in on a third LPGA title this year in four starts.

Annika Sorenstam, who considered withdrawing during Saturday's third round because of intense stomach pain, was alone in second place with seven holes to play.

nAmerican Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger yesterday laid into opposite number Nick Faldo and claimed that players want "nothing to do with him".

In an article in a Sunday newspaper, Azinger also said that there was "no way" Faldo would give a wild card to Colin Montgomerie for September's match because of their relationship.

"The bottom line is that the players from his generation and mine really don't want to have anything to do with him," said Azinger. "He did what he did as a player and there are relational consequences. Nick Faldo has tried to redefine himself. I'd say he is both who he is and who he was. Some people have bought it. Some have not."