Pak claims title

SYLVANIA (OHIO), JULY 9. Pak Se-ri birdied the final two holes to claim a two-stroke victory in the LPGA Tour's $1 million Jamie Farr Kroger Classic.

It was the 23-year-old South Korean's third win of the season and third in four years at this event on Sunday.

Pak finished 15-under-par on 269 after a closing 68, two strokes better than Sweden's Maria Hjorth. New Zealand's Marnie Mcguire and American Heather Bowie shared third place on 273.

Hjorth birdied the final hole to complete a seven- under-par 64 and move into a tie for the lead. But Pak still had a pair of par-fives to play and she made the most of them.

At the 17th, her second shot left her in the rough about 15 feet off the green. But she chipped within three feet and sank the putt for a birdie. Pak played it safe at the 532- yard 18th, hitting her drive and second shot down the fairway. She followed with a beautiful wedge to eight feet and finished with a flourish by knocking in another birdie putt.

``I knew there was great players behind me,'' Pak said. ''I knew I couldn't lose focus.'' The $ 150,000 first prize pushed Pak's earnings for the year to $ 958,992 . She is third on the money list behind Sweden's Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb of Australia.

Hjorth has played perhaps the best golf on the LPGA Tour over the last two months but does not have a win to show for it. At this event, she was hurt by an opening round 76. The Swede tied for third at the Champions Classic, tied for second at the Corning Classic and Rochester International, was second at the Evian Masters and tied for third at the LPGA championship.

``I can't complain, really,'' she said. ''The first round I lost my rhythm a little bit. After that I played really good golf.''

-Reuters.

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