Annika – queen of the desert

Sorenstam entered the final day seven shots ahead of fellow superstar, World no.3 Karrie Webb, but the Australian had a final round 70 and finished two shots back from Alfredsson in third position.

The Ladies European Tour’s youngest and newest member Amy Yang, 17, who won the ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia in February as an amateur, had a final round 69 and finished in a share of fourth with the two-time French Open champion Veronica Zorzi of Italy, who shot 70. Yang, who was born in Korea but lives in Australia, was playing in her first tournament as a professional.

Meanwhile Sweden’s Louise Friberg was one stroke back after carding a 65, the joint best score of the day. Denmark’s Iben Tinning also had 65 and was a shot further back in seventh place on six-under-par.

Sorenstam had been on course to win the Gulf region’s first full women’s tournament from the very start of the week and she said the only time she felt nervous was in the presence of royalty during the prize giving ceremony.

She was presented with her winner’s trophy by Shaikh Maktoum, the son of Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, who was also present.