Kerr triumphs after superb round

American Cristie Kerr claimed her seventh title on the LPGA Tour with a charging final round of 67 at the Franklin American Mortgage Championship in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 28-year-old started the final round four shots off the lead, but five birdies in a flawless round helped her post a tournament record score of 19-under-par 269 and she won by two shots.

American Angela Stanford, the leader from round one, faded with a 73, but still held on to share second place with the 2004 champion from Mexico Lorena Ochoa, who had a 66, and another American, Pat Hurst, who birdied the final five holes for a 68.

England’s Karen Stupples finished birdie, eagle for a 68 and was tied for 20th on 10 under par. She had three eagles over the tournament.

“It was a good, solid week and I feel I’m ready for a good run,” said the 2004 Weetabix Women’s British Open Champion. “I was coming back from a week off through illness so to shoot four rounds under par was very pleasing.

“I could have gone a lot lower, but just need to get the putter into top form.”

Staffordshire’s Sue Strudwick, who now teaches at a golf centre in Tennessee and came out of retirement to play this week, followed her 67 on Saturday with a 72 for seven under and joint 28th, while Scot Mhairi McKay was a further shot back after a 70.

This week, Kerr defends the Michelob ULTRA Open in Virginia, and she said: “This is proving to be a good time of year for me. Today I set out four behind but just went for everything and it paid off.”

For Ochoa, who heads the money list, it was a fourth second place in a season in which she has also won the Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas.