Sorenstam wins third Women's Open after playoff

Sweden's Annika Sorenstam easily defeated Pat Hurst in a playoff on Monday to capture her 10th major win and third career US Women's Open title.

Sorenstam dominated American Hurst from the start of the 18-hole playoff. She compiled a five-stroke lead after nine holes before patiently playing through the back nine to win by four shots at the Newport Country Club course.

Sorenstam flirted with US Open wins in 2002, 2003 and 2004 but it has been ten years since her last victory.

"Wow, it is fantastic," said Sorenstam, who shot a one-under 70 on Monday.

"What a great finish. I kept telling myself `play your game, it is good enough. Don't think about the surroundings.' I was telling myself so many things that if someone saw me they would think I was crazy," she said.

Only Mickey Wright and Betsy Rawls have more Open victories, with four each. Just three players have won more women's majors, headed by Patty Berg with 15.

Sorenstam came out with more spark, ramming home an eight-foot putt for a birdie on the first hole to take a quick two-shot lead over Hurst, who took four shots to get down from inside 100 yards at the easy par-five.

A double-bogey at the par-four sixth and a bogey at the par-four ninth left the American in deep trouble.

The playoff was needed after the players played a 36-hole marathon on Sunday, leaving Sorenstam and Hurst tied at the top of the leaderboard at the US$3.1 million event.