Sun Apr 6 17:48:36 2008

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Ochoa wins Kraft by five, claims second major

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Rancho Mirage, CA (Sports Network) - Lorena Ochoa waited a long time for her first major championship. It only took one try to get No. 2.

Ochoa closed with a flawless five-under 67 on Sunday to win the Kraft Nabisco Championship by five strokes, beginning the day with a tenuous one-shot lead that she padded early in the final round at Mission Hills.

What began as a sprint turned into a stroll, as the Mexican star finished the round with eight consecutive pars to finish at 11-under 277, comfortably ahead of Annika Sorenstam and Suzann Pettersen.

Ochoa, who finally broke through for her first career major at last year's Women's British Open, became the first woman to win back-to-back majors since Sorenstam in 2005.

It was her 20th career victory, and 17th in the last 24 months.

Sorenstam and Pettersen both had a four-under 68s to share a distant second place at six-under 282. Maria Hjorth (71) was fourth at five-under 283, with Seon Hwa Lee (72) another shot further back at 284.

Sorenstam, after being treated at a nearby hospital Saturday night, was finally shaking the illness that nearly forced her to withdraw after 10 holes in the third round.

A three-time Kraft Nabisco champion, she posted her fifth top-10 finish to start the season.

Pettersen tied for second place again, but took a different route this time. Last year, her final-round collapse allowed Morgan Pressel to become the youngest women's major champion. She had five birdies and a bogey Sunday.

MORE TO FOLLOW.