Akiko Fukushima
had a 4-under 68 Sunday to overcome a four-stroke deficit and win the LPGA Tournament
of Champions by one stroke over Karia Hjorth and Karrie Webb.
Fukushima finished with a 9-under 279 total and she wasn't guaranteed the victory
until Hjorth bogeyed No. 18.
``I never thought I could win this tournament,'' said Fukushima, who was downhill
from Hjorth and couldn't see the putt, so she didn't know there wouldn't be a
playoff.
``I never
expected to win this tournament and now that I have, I am very happy to be here.''
Hjorth, a native
of Sweden who had led by three strokes for the past two days, finished with a
final-round 73 and was tied at 280 with Webb, the first-round leader who closed
with a 70.
Chris
Johnson shot a 71 Sunday and finished fourth at 281.
Fukushima won $122,000 out of a total purse of $750,000.
The tournament, sponsored by AFLAC, was a no-cut event featuring only winners
of LPGA events over the last three years and active members of the LPGA Hall of
Fame.
