Doolan pulls off surprise win

World number one Annika Sorenstam set out with a three-shot lead and as firm favourite to win a third Evian Masters in France today – but Australia’s Wendy Doolan ignored the odds and pulled off a shock win with a dazzling final round of 65.

The 35-year-old, who spent the first five years of her career on the European Tour, was actually six shots behind the Swede with 13 holes to play, but amazingly turned the tables with a magical run of five holes from the sixth - birdie, eagle, birdie, eagle, birdie.

On 18-under, Doolan won by a shot from Sorenstam, who birdied the final three holes for a 71, with Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa in third place on 16 under after a 68.

Kent’s Karen Stupples was fourth on 15-under after a 70, while Laura Davies, the only British winner in the event’s 11-year history, was fifth on 10-under after making a birdie at the last for a 71.

Stupples, who missed a short par putt at the par three 17th, admitted she was “a little disappointed. Today I just couldn’t see the lines on the putts and nothing went in for me“.

For Doolan, the moment that finally clinched the 375,000 US dollar cheque - the second richest in the women’s game – came at the 481-yard 18th where she hit a five iron on to the green and two-putted for birdie, the second one from a nasty six feet.

With only two wins, both since joining the LPGA Tour in America in 1996, it was easily the best day of the Sydney player’s career.

“That run of five holes is one I’ll cherish for a long time,” said Doolan.

“To make two eagles and three birdies in five holes is something that might never happen again.

“As for the one at the last, it was also great to cope under that sort of pressure. But I just trusted myself and went for it.”

In Sorenstam’s last event, she finished runner-up to Meg Mallon in the US Women’s’ Open – but she hopes to be the bride when she defends the Weetabix British Women’s Open at Sunningdale in England this week.

Doolan’s two eagles both came from close range. She hit a five iron to two feet at the 481-yard seventh and a six iron second to eight feet at the 490-yard ninth.

Fourteen-year-old amateur Michelle Wie was not at her best over the first three rounds – but she hit her best round with five birdies in a 69.

And it was all thanks to some words of advice from former European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer who was there to present the trophy to Doolan.

“I met him in the hotel last night and he told me that sometimes putts go in and sometimes they don’t and golf wasn’t life and death,” said Wie. “That was good advice.”