Sorenstam captures Safeway in playoff
By Bill Huffmann
Special to The Advertiser
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN, Ariz. — Annika Sorenstam overcame Lorena Ochoa's four-shot lead over the final three holes, and then went on to win a one-hole playoff yesterday at the LPGA Safeway International.
Sorenstam Matt York • Associated Press
The conclusion was all but foregone when Ochoa pulled her drive in sudden death into the lake that guards the 18th hole at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club.
"I think things are starting to come around," Michelle Wie said after tying for 12th at the Safeway International.
It marked the 58th win for the Swedish superstar, pulling her even with fellow Hall of Famer Louise Suggs at No. 4 on the LPGA's career victory list. It also was the second straight year she has won this event, and third overall (2001).
Almost lost in the aftermath of the drama was another fine finish by Michelle Wie, the 15-year-old amateur sensation from Honolulu who ended up in a tie for 12th place. Wie closed out her week at this tournament 30 miles east of Phoenix with a one-under 71, which gave her a 4-under 284 total.
"(The course) played a little tough today," said Wie of the finale. "Actually, it was cold and windy all week, and I prefer playing in the sun."
Wie said her round went about like it did Saturday, when she shot 73.
"I tried to shoot a low score, and I did have a lot of birdie opportunities," she said of her round, which included three birdies and two bogeys.
"But what happened was I ended up scrambling (for par) all day."
The final round was the toughest of the week, condition wise, as a stiff wind and temperatures that hovered in the high 60s compounded some tough pin placements.
Ochoa could do no better than 73. And the fact that Sorenstam caught her with a 70 was further proof that it was difficultÊ to go low.
Sorenstam trailed by one shot with one hole to play, but her 4-wood from 239 yards found the 18th green, from where she two-putted from 22 feet for birdie.
"Top three, for sure," she said when asked where the shot ranked on her all-time list.
Sorenstam
"I'm going to remember that for a long time. It's one of the truest shots I've ever hit."
And the way she won the tournament also ranked right up there, said the 34-year-oldÊ Swede.
"I've come from 10 (shots) behind, but then again, I had 18 holes to do it," she said. "Three holes is not a lot, but I think today proved that you should never give up, just keep on grinding."
Sorenstam's latest "grind" was worth $210,000, and it pushed her over the $16 million mark in earnings for her 13 years on the LPGA Tour. It was her fourth straight win dating to last year, and she now has won six of her last eight tournaments.
Finishing in a tie for third place were Juli Inkster and Soo-Yun Kang, who were three shots back but never really in the chase. Inkster closed with a 72, and Kang turned around a horrendous 76 that could have been much worse had she not holed out from the fairway on the 18th hole for eagle.
Not surprisingly, the 23-year-old Ochoa took her meltdown hard: "She gave me every chance to win it, and I gave away the tournament. Nothing can be worse than this."
Wie was not around to see the conclusion, as she already was en route to Palm Springs, Calif., where she will play in this week's Kraft Nabisco Championship. Last year, she finished fourth in the season's first major on the LPGA.
"I'm really looking forward to it," said Wie, who will be playing in her 20th LPGA event. "I think things are starting to come around."
Wie was paired with 18-year-old Paula Creamer in the final round, and edged the rookie by four shots, as Creamer shot 75.
