Sorenstam complete career Grand Slam

Annika Sorenstam was understandably tearful as she completed the career grand slam in women's golf with a dramatic victory on a blazing afternoon in the £1.05million Weetabix Women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes GC.

In temperatures in the high 70's, the World number one turned up the heat on her nearest rivals to claim the £160,000 first prize after carding a final round two under par 70 to win on ten under par.

Sorenstam snatched victory by a shot from Korean Se Ri Pak, who settled for second place after losing her championship hopes in a fairway bunker on the final hole.

The Swede became only the sixth player in history to win all four of the women's major titles, following such luminaries as Juli Inkster, Pat Bradley, Karrie Webb, Louise Suggs and Mickey Wright.

The 32-year-old from Stockholm, runner-up in this championship in 1994, 1995 and 1999, has now won 46 times in her career but held this tournament in such high esteem, tears were inevitable when she was handed the crystal trophy by Sir Richard George from Weetabix.

"I'm overwhelmed," said Sorenstam. "I've wanted this championship so badly for so many years.

"Being a European, it means a lot. It's a major championship and played on a fantastic course with all these great players.

"When you add all that up, it's just a fabulous tournament. I can't believe it. I've won another major and now I've won all four so all my goals are coming true."

Australia's Karrie Webb, who despite a brave attempt to retain her title with a final round 71, had to settle for a share of third with Pak's compatriot, the glamorous Grace Park, who had a 70.

Third round leader Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, a jovial Frenchwoman who is 12 weeks pregnant, could not reproduce the dramatics of her third round 67 and faltered with a 76 to finish in fifth place.

But her consolation was a significant move up the Solheim Cup rankings into eighth place and with a top ten finish at the HP Open in Sweden next week, Meunier-Lebouc could help Catrin Nilsmark free up a Solheim Cup pick if she were qualify in the top seven.

Starting the day three shots back from Lebouc, Sorenstam made little headway and bogeyed the fourth hole. But Lebouc was struggling to get to grips with the difficult pin placements and dropped out of the hunt, turning in three over.

A Sorenstam birdie at the sixth helped her back into the fray, but Webb was making a move.

The Australian carded an outward half of 33 and memories of her final round 66 to win at Turnberry last year sprang to mind. But Webb slipped up with bogies at the tenth and 11th, which ruined her momentum.

Pak, one adrift of Lebouc at the start of the day personified steadiness with an outward nine of 35 to hold the lead on nine under and Sorenstam safely two putted the par five 11th to tie the Korean.

Pak responded with a birdie of her own at the 12th to tie the lead but Sorenstam edged ahead again at the 15th with a lob to a foot for birdie.

The Korean again tied the lead with an eight foot birdie putt at the 16th but when it really mattered, the former world number one made a crucial error, finding a fairway bunker on the final hole.

Sorenstam, aware of Pak's mistake still gambled with a driver from the tee and nailed it smack bang in the centre of the fairway, knowing a birdie would put the result beyond any doubt.

A par was secure enough to see the comely Swedes dream realised.

"I just felt all I had to do was do it," added Sorenstam. "I just had to swing my best, be patient and see what happened.

"I made a great birdie on 15 and on 18, it looked like Se Ri was in the bunker. I had so many clubs to choose from on that tee, but I said to myself, if I hit driver, I can win this championship and that is what I want, so I decided to hit it. It was a great play."

It certainly was and a fitting testament to the course at Royal Lytham and St Annes, which showcased women's golf in such wonderful fashion. A legendary course, three occupants of the world number one position in contention with the finest female golfer in the world topping the bill.

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