Sweden, Aug 19: Sweden's Sophie Gustafson tapped in a routine par putt on the third play-off hole to beat Norwegian rival Suzann Pettersen at Drottningholm on Sunday. Defending champion Annika Sorenstam, who clinched a career Grand Slam by winning the British Open a week ago, had two eagles but finished two strokes back in her first hometown tournament since 1999. The 29-year-old Gustafson, who missed a three-foot putt to win on the 72nd hole, said: "To beat Annika before such big crowds in Sweden is big.
"This is one of my biggest. It's hard to compare with my LPGA (Tour) wins, but this is as big as winning the (2000) British Open." Pettersen forced the play-off by beating the course record Gustafson set on Saturday. The Norwegian carded a superb 10-under-par 62, while Gustafson shot a final-round 68.

Sorenstam, the world number one, finished alone in third place at 271 after a 68.

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England's Laura Davies shared fourth at 276 with Becky Morgan of Wales.

For Morgan it was another huge plus in her bid to claim one of the wild-card selections for next month's Solheim Cup in Sweden.

With just two events to count, the 28-year-old is one of the in-form Europeans, with seven top-10 finishes over the past four months.

"I didn't play too well today. But overall it was a good week," she said.

"I'm still not trying to think too much about the Solheim. I'll just keep plugging away and see what happens."
Bureau Report