Late birdies clinch title for Se Ri Pak

South Korea's Se Ri Pak birdied the final four holes Sunday for a 9-under-par 63 and tournament-record 21-under 267 total in the Betsy King Classic.

Pak, who earned $180,000 for her third victory of the season and 16th in five full seasons on the LPGA Tour, had an eagle, nine birdies and two bogeys on the Berkleigh Country Club course.

The 24-year-old star matched the course record of 63 set by Tina Barrett in 2000, and broke the tournament record of 18-under 270 set by Annika Sorrenstam in 1996.

Pak achieved her mark despite consecutive bogeys the second and third holes. She parred No. 4 and then made a 30-foot eagle chip on the par-5 fifth hole.

"It was important to par that hole," Pak said. "The eagle got me back on track. I still don't think this is my best for the season."

Pak, who started the day two strokes behind Australia's Michelle Ellis, also had the best 72-hole score on the tour this year, topping Sorenstam's 19 under in the Evian Masters.

"I just feel really good right now," Pak said. "My swing feels great. Each day, I swung the club better."

Angela Stanford closed with a 66 to finish second at 18-under 270, her first top-10 finish of the season. Australian star Karrie Webb had a 69 to finish third at 16 under, and Ellis, winless on the LPGA Tour, shot a 74 to tie for sixth at 13 under.

"I just wanted to take it one swing at a time," Stanford said. "I feel a lot better about my career now, and I can just go out there and play. I figured as well as I could make birdies I had a chance."

Mexican Lorena Ochoa, who topped the Futures Tour money list to earn a 2003 LPGA tour card, closed with a 70 to tie for 14th at 10-under 278. The 20-year-old Ochoa won three times on the developmental tour after winning an NCAA-record eight titles this season for the University of Arizona.

Defending champion Heather Daly Donofrio shot 73 for an even-par 288 total, tying tournament host Betsy King (75).

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