The Associated Press

SOTOGRANDE, Spain - Retief Goosen struggled to a 3-over-par 74 in the second round of the Volvo Masters, but that was enough to keep him ahead of Padraig Harrington in their competition for the Order of Merit.

Harrington shot a 5-over 76 for his second straight bad outing on the Valderrama course.

The Irishman is three strokes behind Goosen but probably would need to overtake him by several shots to win the award that goes to Europe's top money winner.

Goosen entered the final European Tour event of the season leading Harrington by $23,110 in winnings. Goosen, a South African who won the 2001 U.S.Open, had the Order of Merit wrapped up coming into this event last year.

Harrington needs to finish no worse than 27th to have a chance of overtaking Goosen, and that would mean the South African must finish last in the 66-man field.

Angel Cabrera of Argentina maintained his four-stroke lead after a 1-over 72 to go with a first-round 63. Colin Montgomerie shot a 69 to move up to second place, tied with Sergio Garcia, Robert Karlsson and Bradley Dredge.

MIZUNO CLASSIC

Bidding for her third victory of the season, South Korean Mi Hyun Kim made six straight birdies en route to a 7-under 65 for the first-round lead in Japan.

She had seven birdies in eight holes in the LPGA event and held a one-stroke lead over compatriots Grace Park and Gloria Park and Japan's Chieko Amanuma.

"That's only the second time I've had six straight birdies," Kim said. "I've changed clubs recently and I'm starting to feel more comfortable, especially with the irons."

Kim is trying to win for the sixth time in four years on the tour. During a three-week span in July and August, she won the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic and Wendy's Championship for Children.

Grace Park won last week's World Ladies Match Play Championship in Narita.

Canada's Lorie Kane, who won this event in 2000, was two strokes behind at 67 along with Japan's Hiromi Kobayashi and South Korea's Woo-Soon Ko.

Se Ri Pak, a five-time winner this season, topped an eight-player group at 68. Defending champ Annika Sorenstam opened with a 69.