Sorenstam cruises to title

Sorenstam had to play 36 holes on Sunday

Sweden's Annika Sorenstam finished with a one-over par 72 to win her seventh career major at the LPGA Championship.

Because play was washed out on Friday the final 36 holes had to be played on Sunday, and Sorenstam set up victory with a third-round 64.

That gave the defending champion a six-stroke lead over Mexico's Lorena Ochoa going into the final round.

Ochoa fell away with a 75, leaving Korea's Shi Hyun Ahn to claim second three shots adrift after a closing 66.

Ahn twice moved to within two shots of Sorenstam on the back nine, but the Swede responded with birdies at 12, 14, 16 and 17.

Ahn's compatriot Grace Park, who won the first major of the season in March, moved to within three late in the round but was forced to settle for third after a 68.

FINAL LEADERBOARD -13 Annika Sorenstam (Swe) -10 Ahn Shi Hyun (Kor) -8 Grace Park (Kor) -6 Angela Stanford (US), Gloria Park (Kor) -5 Christina Kim (US), Juli Inkster (US)

"This one feels great," said Sorenstam.

"It was a totally up and down day. I played so well in the morning and then things started to fall apart.

"I did get a little tired, and also I think it was because I wanted to win so badly.

"But even through the poor patch I kept telling my caddie things would work out all right. Thankfully, I was correct."

Sorenstam laid the foundations for her fourth win of the year by picking up seven shots in her third round.

But there were anxious moments during her final round when she missed the 16th fairway so far left that she played down the 11th fairway.

With a blind shot from 94 yards over the trees, she hit a wedge to three feet for a birdie.

A bogey from the bunker on the final hole gave her a one-over 72, only her second round over par this year, and a final total of 13 under.

Sorenstam joins Mickey Wright as the only player to successfully defend three major titles.

Wright won all four majors back-to-back, and Sorenstam could match that with a victory later this year in the Women's British Open.