Comfortable and smiling throughout her round, Annika masterfully closed the door on several of the top veterans of the LPGA, playing a 7-shot lead heading into the back nine! Sorenstam paced herself on the final nine, birdied the 11th and made par on the balance of the holes coming in at 15-under par for a final round of 68 .Taking dead aim and with a full release on every shot, the 34-year-old swede could not be stopped.
Even though most professionals play it safe when in the lead to ensure a win, Annika went for the par-5 18th in two with a 2-wood, flying the water and landing safely on the green. She three-putted for an easy par. Winning this tournament for the third time, Sorenstam also tied Nancy Lopez’s record of five victories in her last five events. In fact, in 217 LPGA events, Annika has missed only four cuts – surprisingly enough – all in majors. After celebrating her victory and climbing from the pond, Annika remarked, “I had good momentum, I’m very excited… there are so many prestigious names on this trophy… I couldn’t ask for a better start to the season.”
Seasoned veteran Rosie Jones, with 13 career wins but no major victories, came up with three birdies and two bogeys to finish in solo second with a 1-under-par 71. Jones averaged 227 yards from the tee to Annika’s 271-yard average. Speaking about Annika, Rosie stated, “she played awesome… her ball striking improved, (she’s) really hot, really on”.
Cristie Kerr ended her round today with a with a 1-under-par 71. With two birdies to start the day, Kerr had high hopes of moving into 2nd place but then two bogies on the third and fourth holes brought her back to earth. Although Kerr birdied the 18th, a double bogey earlier on the 15th stopped any thoughts of her overtaking Jones. Kerr finished fifth here last year and improved her stats today by tying for third place with Laura Diaz. Cristie currently is number one in U.S. Solheim Cup points.
Grace Park, unable to defend her title, came in with one of the low rounds of the day, a 67, to move her into a tie for fifth place with Mi Hyun Kim who birdied the 18th hole. Another previous winner at the Kraft Nabisco, Juli Inkster, finished her round alone in seventh, shooting a final-round 69.
Michelle Wie finished her round today with a 1-under-par 71, tying Brandie Burton and Kim Saiki with a 14th place finish. Although she dunked her approach shot into the water on 18 yesterday and had a similar result today on her drive at 18, Wie was the low amateur for the tournament.
Number-one ranked amateur, Morgan Pressel, was vying for the same low amateur honors. Pressel, although considered the top amateur, has not never held the low-am honor. Said Pressel about Wie (with a touch of resentment), Wie has “been given everything and left the rest of us with nothing” speaking of sponsors exemptions. However, Wie is a great draw and the public wants to see her. Pressel at a +3 for the day, concluded her round with a 75, tying for 19th position with three others, including Shi Hyun Ahn who had the low round of the day (66), Paula Creamer and Young Kim.
Pos Player Tot R1 R2 R3 R4 Tot 1 Annika Sorenstam -15 70 69 66 68 273 2 Rosie Jones -7 69 70 71 71 281 T3 Laura Diaz -5 75 69 71 68 283 T3 Cristie Kerr -5 72 70 70 71 283 T5 Grace Park -4 73 68 76 67 284 T5 Mi Hyun Kim -4 69 71 72 72 284 7 Juli Inkster -3 70 74 72 69 285 8 Lorie Kane -2 71 76 69 70 286 T9 Wendy Doolan -1 74 69 73 71 287 T9 Dorothy Delasin -1 71 72 73 71 287 T9 Candie Kung -1 72 73 71 71 287 T9 Reilley Rankin -1 73 68 74 72 287 T9 Beth Daniel -1 74 72 69 72 287
Photo Credit: © Getty Images.
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