Nordqvist Secures Long-Awaited Win


Anna Nordqvist took advantage of the four-stroke lead she enjoyed entering the final round, holding off a hard-charging Inbee Park on Sunday to win the Honda LPGA Thailand. The $1.5 million event was held at Siam Country Club's Pattaya Old Course.

The 26-year-old Swede closed with a 4-under 68, while Park, the defending champion, shot 66. After carding her first birdie of the day on the par-3 fourth hole, Nordqvist double-bogeyed the next to make things interesting.

She birdied the seventh to make the turn in even-par 36, but then warmed up on the back nine with five birdies and a meaningless bogey on the last for a 4-under 32.

Nordqvist finished at 15-under 273, two strokes clear of Park, who posted a spotless six-birdie final round.

The victory, worth $225,000, was Nordqvist's third on the LPGA Tour but her first since the LPGA Championship and LPGA Tour Championship in 2009.

"It's been awhile, but I'm just so happy to finally break through again," Nordqvist said of her long drought. "Inbee kept pushing me at the end. I just really had to stay strong. Had a rough first couple holes, but kept playing good on the back. Just unbelievable to get that win again."

Nordqvist gave credit for her resurgent play to new swing coach Jorje Parada of Spain. "I have to thank my family and friends and coach (Jorje Parada) for keeping pushing me through the good and bad times. They really inspired me and believed in me no matter what. And here I am sitting here with the trophy," she said.

Scotland's Catriona Matthew fired the low final round, a 7-under 65, to surge into solo third at 277, while another stroke back was Michelle Wie, who topped off a good tournament with a 69.

Sharing fifth at 279 were former LPGA Thailand champion Tseng Yani, Paraguay's Julieta Granada, and Americans Gerina Piller, Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson.

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