Sun Apr 27 18:23:11 2008

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Sorenstam topples Creamer for playoff win

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Aventura, FL (Sports Network) - Annika Sorenstam parred the first playoff hole Sunday to defeat Paula Creamer and win the Stanford International Pro-Am.

The win was Sorenstam's 71st on the LPGA Tour. She is in the third place and inches within 17 of Kathy Whitworth's all-time record. Sorenstam collected her second victory this season and moved her playoff record to 16-6.

For Creamer, she had a chance to pick up her second title of the year. Only Sorenstam, Creamer, Louise Friberg and, of course, Lorena Ochoa have titled this season, so the battle came down to an elite pair of top-five players.

Sorenstam held the overnight lead, but only managed a one-under 70 on Sunday. Creamer, who held the top spot late in the final round, shot a two-under 69. The pair finished regulation at eight-under 275, but Creamer had the tournament in her grip.

At the 16th, Creamer hit a spectacular approach to six feet. She held a one- shot lead, but yanked her birdie effort to remain one in front of Sorenstam.

Creamer nearly went into a hazard at the par-three 17th and her second came up 12 feet short of the stick. She missed the putt and the two were tied with the par-five closing hole to go.

Sorenstam had a great chance to win in regulation, but her 10-footer at the 72nd hole just missed.

So it was back to No. 18 at the Soffer Course at Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club to begin the playoff.

Both players found the fairway off the tee and both elected to lay up with their second shots. Creamer's third went 25 feet past the cup on to the fringe, while Sorenstam hit her third to almost the exact spot she did in regulation.

Creamer's birdie putt from the taller grass hopped immediately and ran eight feet past the hole. Sorenstam's birdie putt barely stayed above ground, but she tapped in for par, putting the pressure squarely on Creamer.

The young American did not respond well. Her par effort to extend the playoff came up woefully short and the title went to Sorenstam.

Karrie Webb fired a seven-under 64 to move into a tie for third with Young Kim, who posted a two-under 69 on Sunday. The pair finished at seven-under-par 276.

Momoko Ueda only managed an even-par 71 and took fifth at minus-five.

Angela Park (69), Seon-Hwa Lee (69) and reigning U.S. Women's Open champion Cristie Kerr (72) shared sixth place at three-under 280.

Lindsey Wright (65), Hee Young Park (68) and Eun-Hee Ji (68) tied for ninth at minus-two.