SUZHOU, China (AFP) — World number three Annika Sorenstam won her 89th career title when she clinched the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in a tense play-off with China's Ye Liying here Sunday.
Sorenstam shot a seven-under 65 at the Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club for a three-round total of 13-under 203 to tie with Ye at the end of regulation play.
Both Ye and Sorenstam birdied the first play-off hole but the Swede prevailed at the second play-off hole when Ye missed a close putt.
"I had a good start and that's what I wanted to do. Ye played well throughout the tournament and it was difficult to play the catch-up game with her until I managed to draw level at the 15th hole," said Sorenstam.
Asked what she whispered to Ye while they hugged after the second play-off hole, Sorenstam said: "I told her, 'you had a good game. This time it's mine and yours will come too.'"
Ye admitted it had been a learning curve.
"I hope to learn from this experience and improve further to be able to participate in big tournaments," she said.
Tied in third place were Thailand's Porani Chutichai, Amanda Moltke-Leth of Denmark and Australia's Karen Lunn, who is also chairwoman of the Ladies European Tour (LET).
"This is one of my best performances in a tournament in recent times. I had a good week, striking the ball well but never felt comfortable with the putter," said Porani.
Leading final round scores
203: Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 69-69-65, Ye Liying (Chn) 65-68-70 (Chn) (Sorenstam wins in second playoff hole.)
210: Porani Chutichai (Tha) 72-70-68, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 68-74-68, Karen Lunn 72-67-71
212: Yang Taoli (Chn) 75-70-67, Russamee Gulyanamitta (Tha) 70-70-72, Pornanong Phatlum (Tha) 70-69-73
213: Veronica Zorzi (Ita) 68-76-69, Nontaya Srisawang (Tha) 70-73-70, Zuzuna Kamasova (Svk) 69-73-71, Carmen Alonso (Esp) 72-70-71, Lee Eun-kyoung (Kor) 71-70-72, Laurette Maritz (SA) 70-71-72, Yan Panpan (chn) 60-71-73, Stefanie Michl (Aut) 68-72-73
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