HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. — A long and memorable day for Anna Nordqvist ended with a well-deserved champagne shower on the 18th green.
Playing in her fifth professional tournament, the steely nerved rookie from Sweden shot a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday to win the LPGA Championship by four strokes over Lindsey Wright.
Nordqvist finished at 15-under 273 in the tournament’s final stand at Bulle Rock Golf Course. After letting a five- shot lead dwindle to one, Nordqvist sank a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 14 and essentially clinched her first career win with a 35-foot putt for a birdie on No. 15.
When the ball dropped into the cup, the 22-year-old Swede pumped her fist with delight.
Not that she ever felt the need to panic. Throughout the week, Nordqvist appeared more nervous in the interview room than on the course. So after her advantage fell to a stroke, her mind-set never changed.
“I just kept being patient. I think that’s really what paid off at the end,” she said.
Wright, who shot a 70, said: “It was amazing. Under that amount of pressure, not being in that position before and in a major and being a rookie? You can’t get any better than that. She really didn’t falter today.”
Nordqvist completed the final four holes of the suspended third round at 7:30 in the morning, then teed off as part of the final twosome shortly after 2:30 p.m. She took a two-shot lead into the fourth round, quickly increased the margin and held on to win.
After Nordqvist concluded the tournament with a birdie on 18, her coach and several friends rushed onto the green to spray her with champagne.
“That was great. I couldn’t see anything,” Nordqvist said.
Her best previous finish this year was a tie for 17th in the Corona Championship.
Gay goes wire to wire
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Brian Gay played his way into the U.S. Open in his last possible chance, completing a wire- to-wire victory in the St. Jude Classic. He finished at 18-under 262.
• Former Masters champion Trevor Immelman has withdrawn from the U.S. Open because of tendinitis in his left wrist and elbow.
