Nordqvist Drives Away with Kia Classic


Anna Nordqvist picked up the fourth LPGA Tour title of her career and second in just over a month on Sunday. The 26-year-old closed with a second straight 5-under 67 to win the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, Calif.

The Swede posted three birdies on the front nine at Aviara Golf Club and another three - with a bogey on the par-5 17th - on the back for a 72-hole total of 13-under 275, a stroke ahead of 54-hole co-leader Lizette Salas, who shot a 70.

Nordqvist earned $255,000. She won the LPGA Thailand last month to end a five-year victory drought.

The 24-year-old Salas, a native of Southern California in search of her first victory, was at 1-over on Sunday before rallying down the stretch with three birdies on the final five holes. Needing an eagle on the tough par-4 18th to tie Nordqvist, she could only muster a birdie for a 70 and took solo second.

Lexi Thompson rose into third at 11-under after a 68, while South Korea's Chella Choi shot a 69 for fourth at 10-under

Salas' fellow third-round co-leader, Cristie Kerr, couldn't get going Sunday, carding two bogeys and a birdie for a 73 and fifth place at 9-under.

No. 1-ranked Inbee Park had a 68 to share sixth at 8-under 280 with fellow South Koreans Se Ri Pak (69) and Eun-Hee Ji (71), and American Stacy Lewis (71).

The players now shift their attention to the LPGA's first major of the year, the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif., which starts Thursday.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.