Sorenstam wraps up eighth victory of season
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Annika Sorenstam didn't win any style points, just another trophy.
Sorenstam outlasted Cristie Kerr in an intense duel Sunday at the season-ending ADT Championship, beating her with a bogey on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win for the eighth time this year.
"I was so nervous the last two holes," Sorenstam said. "I wanted to do it so badly."
Sorenstam birdied the 16th hole to catch Kerr, and missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th that led to the third playoff in the nine-year history of the tournament.
Kerr, who had not made a bogey in 44 holes, hit a marginal drive that left her a 7-wood into the 18th green in the playoff. Off a sidehill lie, she pushed it badly into the water, then missed the green with a sand wedge and wound up with a double bogey.
Once Kerr was in the water, Sorenstam only needed to hit the green. Instead, she pulled it left and hit a spectator, keeping the outcome in doubt for a while longer. Sorenstam chipped down to 5 feet above the hole, and when Kerr tapped in for double bogey, the Swede only had to two-putt to win.
"I played my heart out," Kerr said. "I did all I could do, and I was faced with a tough shot on the playoff."
So ended another spectacular year for Sorenstam -- eight victories, just over $2.5 million and more evidence that she is the most dominant player in golf.
It was her 56th career victory, moving Sorenstam past Betsy Rawls and into fifth place. Her next target is Louise Suggs (58), with the record 88 victories by Kathy Whitworth still a long way off.
Both players finished at 13-under 275 and had to a chance to win in regulation.
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| Annika Sorenstam won the ADT Championship in a playoff.(Getty Images) |
Sorenstam saved par with a crucial 6-foot putt on the 17th to keep pace with Kerr, then hit a 7-iron from 150 yards to 12 feet below the hole on the 18th as a light rain began to fall. She wound up with a 69.
