U.S. LPGA Beats Japan Counterpart

Friday, October 27th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NARITA, Japan (AP) â€” Charlotta Sorenstam and Michele Redman led the 12-member LPGA to 4-2 victory Friday over its Japanese counterpart in the opening round of the World Ladies Challenge.

The LPGA is seeking to win the event for the 16th straight year and increase its overall record in the event to 20-2.

Sorenstam and Redman beat Hiromi Kobayashi and Ku Ok-hee 64-71 in a four-ball stroke play match at the 6,396-yard, par-72 Sosei Country Club.

Sophie Gustafson and Annika Sorenstam defeated Aki Nakano and Kaori Higo 65-69, while Rosie Jones and Sherri Steinhauer beat Kasumi Fujii and Orie Fujino 66-71.

Cristie Kerr and Becky Iverson gave the LPGA team a fourth point of the day with a 68-70 win over Akiko Fukushima and Junko Yasui.

Japan's victories came from Yuri Fudoh and Tseng Hsiu-feng against Carin Koch and Nancy Scranton by 67-68, and from Midori Yoneyama and Aki Takamura against Lorie Kane and Se Ri Pak by 64-68.

The teams play again Saturday in the same four-ball stroke play matches. In the final round Sunday, an individual stroke play format will be used. One point is awarded per match, and ties receive a half-point each.