However Sorenstam played an accomplished shot to eight feet at the final hole to claim victory, while Ochoa, who leads the US money rankings, had to be content with her sixth second place finish of the year.
After recollecting her trophy – and a winner’s cheque for 75,000 euros – Sorenstam jumped in the lake by the 18th with her sister Charlotta and her mother Gunilla. She said it was the perfect end to her tournament.
“It was an incredible day. The finish was like a fairytale. To come here at home, to play with Lorena in the last group head-to-head and in tough conditions but to play like it was the best day ever, it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Sorenstam admitted that she was forced to fight hard and play her best golf for the victory as Ochoa didn’t give her many chances. “I lost the tee on 18 because she made eagle so to finish with a birdie on a tough par four was very satisfying.”
Ochoa also had a birdie chance from the front of the green but eventually two-putted for par.
“That eagle was really important to give myself a chance. I think I gave Annika a great fight but she made a great birdie on 18 and there was nothing I could do,” said Ochoa. “She is the number one player in the world and this is her home course in her own country. This is the way golf is. I only missed one birdie opportunity on the front nine and I missed that opportunity on 18 there but all in all, it’s been a great week.”
Norwegian Suzann Pettersen fired a 68 and finished in third position on 16-under 276. French woman Gwladys Nocera, had a 71 and finished in fourth position, maintaining her lead over England’s Laura Davies in the Ladies European Tour’s New Star Money List.
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