Skip navigation
sponsored by 

Yang wins Sorenstam's Swedish finale by 6 shots

By STEPHAN NASSTROM
Associated Press Sports
updated 12:35 p.m. ET Aug. 10, 2008

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -Amy Yang spoiled Annika Sorenstam's finale on home turf, tying the course record with a 9-under 63 Sunday for a six-shot victory at the Scandinavian TPC.

The 37-year-old Sorenstam, who is retiring in December, eagled the par-4 17th to move into second place. But the Swedish Hall of Famer took a double-bogey on the last hole, hitting her tee ball in the water and three-putting.

The tournament host's disappointing finish before a packed gallery dropped her into a tie for sixth with three other Swedes in the rain-shortened Ladies European Tour event.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement

"I decided to forget that I hit the ball in the water,'' Sorenstam said. "I enjoyed seeing the fans making the wave and applauding when I went up to the (18th) green. It felt really good. ... Naturally it was special to walk out there today. I knew this was my last tournament in Sweden. I'm enormously thankful for the fans' support this week.''

Yang finished with a 54-hole total of 202, 14-under par on the Frosaker Golf and Country Club.

"I never thought I could win the tournament,'' Yang said after accepting the trophy and a hug from Sorenstam. "The leader was four shots ahead of me, so I thought I'd just go out and have fun. I'm very happy.''

Yang, who has idolized Sorenstam since childhood, played in the host's group during the first two rounds.

"I was nervous ... I hardly dared to talk to her because she's my idol,'' Yang said. "Before the tournament I wanted Annika to win it. She's my favorite player.''

Yang birdied seven of 10 holes from the third to move atop the leaderboard. The South Korean stayed there, finishing with birdies on the last three holes. Her only bogey came on the second hole.

This was the 19-year-old Yang's second win as a pro, following the Ladies German Open in early June. She also won the ANZ Ladies Masters as a 16-year-old high school student in 2006, becoming the first amateur to win a major women's professional golf tournament in Australia.

Yang tied the course record set earlier in the day by Minea Blomqvist of Finland, who shared second with Melodie Bourdy of France (66), overnight leader Lill Saether of Norway (73) and Maria Hjorth of Sweden (72).

Sorenstam closed with a 72 for a 209-total, seven shots behind Yang. Also on that figure were Liselotte Neumann, a former U.S. and British Open champion, amateur Anna Nordqvist and Louise Friberg.

Winner of 10 majors and 72 LPGA titles, Sorenstam is quitting the game after this season to get married, start a family and focus on her business and other golf interests.

Sorenstam won the tournament six times between 1997 and 2006 during which time it was named the Compaq Open, HP Open and Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika.

Jill McGill, the only American LPGA Tour player in the field, tied for 13th.

Catriona Matthew of Scotland did not defend her title in Sweden.

Helen Alfredsson of Sweden, the LET money leader who finished runner-up in the U.S. Open and recently won the Evian Masters, also skipped the tournament and instead played an event in Sweden hosted by ice hockey star Peter Forsberg.

Sorenstam will make her final competitive appearance in Europe in another LET event in Denmark on Sept. 5-7 before making her last start at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Dec. 11-14.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored links