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Sorenstam ends winless streak with SBS victory

Swede earns 70th LPGA Tour title and first since September 2006

APTOPIX SBS OPEN GOLFAP
Annika Sorenstam celebrates after winning the SBS Open on Saturday.

It was also the best finish in Jane Park’s young career. The 21-year-old Park was the low amateur at the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open, where she tied for 10th.

Park was steady most of the day, except a double bogey on No. 7.

“I just wanted to have a good, solid showing,” said Park, who birdied three of the last 10 holes.

Like Sorenstam, Diaz also was hungry for a win. She hasn’t hoisted a trophy since she won twice in 2002. Diaz shared the lead with Sorenstam until she also double-bogeyed No. 7. Diaz made a 20-foot birdie putt on 18.

“I’m not chasing Annika or any other players, just battling it in my head more than anything,” Diaz said.

Angela Park (69) was assessed a two-stroke penalty for slow play on the par-4 10th that gave her a triple bogey and cost her a shot at the lead and about $60,000. Park then birdied three of the next four holes to get back within a stroke of the lead before Sorenstam’s late birdies.

Park, who had eight birdies in her round, said she wasn’t holding up play. “I really don’t think it’s fair especially because I was in contention. I don’t think it’s fair at all.”

Rules officials said Park’s second, third and fourth shots on the hole all exceeded the time limit. Park disagreed and was visibly upset, in tears after her round.

“I was so mad out there,” she said. “I was flying through the course on the back nine. I was so frustrated.”

Without the penalty, Park would have finished 9 under, alone in second place for $100,458. Instead she earned $40,872.

Conditions were unusually calm on Oahu’s North Shore. Even the normally roaring Pacific Ocean was peaceful. It was also balmy, forcing the players to find shade anywhere they could.

Ueda used an umbrella. Sorenstam hid under the ironwood trees.

Sorenstam and Erica Blasberg (74) were co-leaders heading into the final round at 7 under. Blasberg was playing in the final group for the first time in her career.

Her troubles started when she pulled her drive near the water hazard and had to pitch out on No. 7 for bogey. Blasberg tied for eighth with Cristie Kerr (73), In-Kyung Kim (71) and rookie Yani Tseng (69) at 5-under 211.

Defending champion Paula Creamer closed with a 69 to finish at 4 under. She hit 18 greens in regulation but putted 34 times.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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