Annika Sorenstam completed the 2007 season without a win on the LPGA Tour, but she announced her return to full health in style by winning the opening tournament of the 2008 campaign, the SBS Open at Turtle Bay in Hawaii.
With a final-round 69 for 10-under-par 206, the 37-year-old Swede won her 70th LPGA title by two strokes from Thailand's Russy Gulyanamitta (68) and the American pair of Laura Diaz and Jane Park (both 70).
The Scots in the field, Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay, both missed the cut. Moodie had a second round 78 and was five shots too many on 152, while McKay recovered from an opening 84 with a 73, but was still well wide of the mark.
Karen Stupples, the 2004 Women's British Open champion, was best of the British players. She tied for 16th on three-under par after a 68.
Sorenstam, who lost the world No.1 ranking to Mexican Lorena Ochoa last year and is now at No.4, was thrilled with the victory. "Some wins are more special than others and this is one them," said the 10-time major champion.
Sorenstam spent much of last season sidelined by neck and back injuries, and she added: "Now I want to stop talking about 2007 and start thinking about 2008. I think this proves that I am a contender again."
She started the day tied for the lead with American Erica Blasberg, and a significant moment in her three-under final round was a 25-foot birdie putt at the 17th. "It was certainly nice to be able to come down the last with a little more of a cushion," she admitted.
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