Late birdies gives Park Evian advantage

(CNN) -- Brazilian teenager Angela Park birdied the final two holes to sneak into the halfway lead on 10-under-par at the Evian Masters in France on Friday, but it was 43-year-old Helen Alfredsson who made the biggest move with a course record nine-under 63.

Park, still seeking her first professional win, posted a second round 68 to edge one ahead of Alfredsson, who was the inaugural Evian champion in 1994 and won the title again in 1998.

Surprsingly, world No.1 Lorena Ochoa, the first round leader after a 65, slipped back to four shots off the pace after a one-over 73.

"Today was a disaster and I'm glad there are still 36 holes to play," said the Mexican. "I missed drives, putts and I couldn't get up and down."

By contrast, Alfredsson could almost do no wrong. The veteran Swede had a flawless nine-birdie round, with none of her putts being longer than 12-feet.

Having finished second in last month's US Women's Open, it was another sign of the form that has brought 19 wins around the globe in her 19 years as a professional.

"I just love this place," said Alfredsson. "I've been here since the beginning and feel so lucky to be able to come back every year. The key this season is that I'm healthy. I've had 15 years of injuries (back, knee and most recently the loss of feeling in her right arm) and, according to the doctors, I played with a detached hamstring for 11 years.

"But now I've had some good workouts and I know feel good almost every day."

Alfredsson made four birdies in the outward half -- at the first, second, sixth and ninth -- and then made more from almost tap-in range at the 10th, 11th, 14th and 15th before slotting another one in from eight-feet at the long 18th.

Park finished third in the US Women's Open and has come close to victory several times in her two years on the LPGA Tour. "I'm staying patient and I know the win will come," she said after the six-birdie round.

Annika Sorenstam's bid for a third Evian title were kept alive with a 69. At six shots off the lead, she knows there is still all to play for over the weekend.

But France's Gwladys Nocera has no chance of victory. The top performer on this year's Ladies' European Tour, the 33-year-old, who lives in Lausanne and practices at Evian, again showed her frailty in world-class company. With a second round 75, she finished on five-over-par and was one of the 19 players in the 89-strong field to miss the cut -- failing by one shot.