Agence France Presse

Galloway Township, June 6:

Annika Sorenstam closed with a seven-under 64 for a final total of 17-under 196 to post a four-shot win over Juli Inkster at the $1.4m LPGA ShopRite Classic. With a bogey-free round that included five birdies and a closing eagle putt, Sorenstam won for the fifth time in seven events this season. She also established herself as the heavy favourite at next week’s LPGA Championship, the second major of the season. Inkster entered the round tied for the lead with Sorenstam and played a solid round but was unable to keep up with the streaking Swede. Inkster had four birdies, three on the back nine, and one bogey for a 68 and a solo second place finish at 13-under 200.

Laura Davies followed a course-record nine-under 62 on Saturday with a 68 and finished tied for third with Catriona Matthew, who shot a sizzling 64. But no matter how hot anyone got or how low anyone went, they were not catching Sorenstam, who posted career victory N0 61 to move into third on the LPGA all-time wins list. Sorenstam, who won $210,000, started the back nine with a birdie at the 10th and added birdies at 13 and 17. In the par-five 18th, she was just short of the green in two and decided to putt from about three feet off the green.

Her long putt rolled in for a 30 on the back nine, which allowed her to tie her own tournament scoring record of 17-under.