Inkster beats Sorenstam to take US title

JULI INKSTER fired a closing 66 to win her second US Women's Open title by two shots from Sweden's world number one Annika Sorenstam on Sunday.

The 42-year-old American’s four-under-par round equalled the best score of the week and gave her a four-under final total of 276. It was the seventh major victory of Inkster’s career and earned her a first prize of $535,000. Sorenstam, 31, bidding to win the tournament for the third time, carded an even-par 70 for 278 and was the only other player in the field to complete the 72 holes under par at the Prairie Dunes Country Club. Australian Shani Waugh (72) was third on 283, three over, with Spain’s Raquel Carriedo in fourth place on 284 after matching Inkster’s 66. South Korean Pak Se Ri was fifth on 285 and Britain’s Mhairi McKay sixth on 286.

Sorenstam, who was aiming for her eighth win of the year, started the day with a two-shot advantage and was the clear favourite to lift the trophy.