Sorenstam conquers Michelob Ultra Open in record-setting victory

5/12/2008

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Annika Sorenstam is on her way back, and a performance that harkened memories of her game before an injury-filled 2007 season suggests she's close

She beat four others by a record-tying seven strokes.

Two of them -- Jeong Jang and Christina Kim -- played with her in the final threesome.

It's never flawless with Sorenstam, who believes that it's possible to make birdie at every hole in a round and shoot 54, but coming down the stretch she was very close. She had five birdies on the back nine, including three in a row, before a bogey on the final hole.

The victory was the Swede's third in eight events this season, and in the process she also answered the doubters who said she could no longer play with new No. 1 Lorena Ochoa.

The eight-time player of the year pulled away from Ochoa on Saturday, using her typical steadiness for a 2-under 69, then did the same to Jang on Sunday, leaving no doubt that her injuries are behind her, and that her once-unrivaled game is almost all the way back.

She still has a long way to go to get back to the top, but even if she does, Sorenstam said it will be as a much different person.

Sorenstam is planning a January wedding to fiance Mike McGee, has opened her own golf academy and also developed an appreciation for playing golf when her back didn't let her.

Leaderboard – Final:

1. Annika Sorenstam                64 66 69 66 265 -19
2. Allison Fouch                        69 71 68 64 272 -12
    Karen Stupples                     67 69 70 66 272 -12
    Jeong Jang                          67 66 69 70 272 -12
    Christina Kim                       70 67 66 69 272 -12
6. Latherine Hull                       70 69 70 64 273 -11
7. Sophie Gustafson                  71 71 66 66 274 -10
    Candie Kung                         66 71 66 68 274 -10
9. Stacy Prammanasudh             66 72 69 69 276 - 8
    Maria Hjorth                          68 71 66 71 276 - 8
    Jee Young Lee                       68 71 67 70 276 - 8

Source: AP, LPGA Tour