Annika Sorenstam made a par on the first playoff hole Sunday, good enough to beat Paula Creamer in the Stanford International Pro-Am.
It was Sorenstam's 71st career victory on the LPGA Tour, and came after Creamer wasted a great chance down the stretch.
Both laid up at the par-5 18th in the playoff, with Creamer facing a tricky downhill birdie putt from just off the fringe, and Sorenstam leaving herself a birdie try from almost the same spot where she missed the potential winner in regulation.
Sorenstam missed the birdie putt yet again, but Creamer's 6-foot comebacker for par stopped short and gave the Swede the victory, plus the $300,000 winner's check.
"I'm very relieved and happy and excited at the same time," Sorenstam said. "I thought it was a good day today. I thought I played very well and so did Paula. She played excellent. It took 19 holes to separate us. ... Fortunately, this time, it was my turn and I'm going to cherish this moment."
With considerable help from Creamer, Sorenstam (70) erased a one-hole deficit in the final two holes of regulation. They finished at 8 under.
Creamer missed the green at the short par-3 17th, then hit a bad chip and made bogey. On the par-5 18th, Creamer (69) hit driver off the tee, but elected to lay up anyway and hit a poor pitch from just inside of 100 yards, eventually settling for par.
Sorenstam nearly ended it right there.
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