Wednesday, July 30, 2003
The 43-year-old finished at 21-under 267 to win her 30th career title.
EVIAN, France (AP) -- Shortly after winning her 30th career title, Juli Inkster shifted her attention to some unfinished business.
Inkster set a tournament record in winning the Evian Masters on Saturday, closing with a 7-under-par 65 for a six-stroke victory over South Korea's Hee-Won Han.
Inkster, who entered the day tied for the lead with Rosie Jones, finished at 21-under 267 to beat Annika Sorenstam's tournament mark of 19 under last year.
This year, Sorenstam shot a 69 to tie for 17th at 281.
Looking to England
Next week, Inkster lines up in the Women's British Open in Lancashire, England, the only Grand Slam event she has not won.
Inkster has seven career Grand Slam titles and wins in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the U.S. Open, the LPGA Championship and the Du Maurier Classic.
A victory in the British would give Inkster a super career Grand Slam. The Du Maurier was replaced in the major roster by the Women's British Open in 2001.
"I'm looking forward to it," she said. "The last two years I didn't play well in the British Open. ... I play because I love to compete but also to keep my name in the record books."
On Saturday, Inkster became the first American to win the $2.1 million event. She earned $315,00, the second-biggest prize in women's golf after the U.S. Open.
"I got the chance and today I capitalized," Inkster said. "I played really well, didn't have a bogey, just never let anybody back in."
The 43-year-old Inkster won for the second time this season following the Corning Classic in May. It was her 30th career title on the LPGA Tour.
"We'll see when these young kids have won 30," Inkster said, laughing.
Others
Han, the tour's rookie of the year in 2001, won her first LPGA title at last week's Big Apple Classic. She shot a 69 to at 273.
Mexican rookie Lorena Ochoa finished birdie-eagle for 68-275. She powered her 7-wood to 10 feet for the closing eagle and tied Jones (73) for third place.
Sorenstam seemed ready to move into contention, playing the front nine in 3 under, but two bogeys on the inward nine stalled the run. She finished 14 shots behind Inkster.
"I tried all week, and finally it was as if it didn't matter how much I tried," Sorenstam said. "The fizz disappeared. I got a little frustrated."
Sorenstam was coming off a few days rest after quitting the Canadian Women's Open in Vancouver after six holes, citing exhaustion.
"I felt I was geared up for this week, but I guess I'm still tired," Sorenstam said.
Sorenstam behind Whaley
Sorenstam had some encouraging words for Suzy Whaley, the first woman to qualify for a PGA Tour event since 1945 who missed the cut at the Greater Hartford Open.
"I think it was very good." said Sorenstam, who played in the Colonial two months ago. "She shot 5 over on the first day, which was very impressive.
"I don't know what the conditions were exactly on the second day, but it was very, very tough, what she did. She should be proud of herself."