LPGA

• Ji surprises Pettersen to win Wegmans LPGA

  
  

  Pittsford, NY (Sports Network) - Eun-Hee Ji rallied for her first career win on Sunday by collecting three birdies on her last six holes to beat Suzann Pettersen by two shots at the Wegmans LPGA.

  Ji closed with a five-under 67 in the final round, nearly the best score of the day, and overcame a three-shot deficit to Pettersen with just six holes remaining.

  The young South Korean, in her second full season on the LPGA Tour, finished at 16-under 272.

  "It's like my dream coming true," Ji said through an interpreter. "Winning on the LPGA Tour was my goal coming to the States, and I achieved my goal today." Pettersen, who claimed her first five wins in a breakthrough 2007 season, is still seeking her first victory this year. She had three bogeys over the last six holes and shot an even-par 72 to finish two back at 14-under 274.

  The third-ranked Norwegian held a three-shot lead overnight, which she protected until a two-shot swing at the 13th hole on Sunday saw Ji climb within a stroke.

  "It feels like I just got out-raced a little bit," said Pettersen.

  Jeong Jang (68) and Hee-Won Han (69) shared third place at 12-under 276, with Cristie Kerr (69) another shot further back at 11-under 277. Kerr will defend her U.S. Women's Open title next week at Interlachen.

  Lorena Ochoa, the world No. 1 and 2007 Wegmans champion, shot a 69 and shared sixth place with Christina Kim (68), Ai Miyazato (72) and Inbee Park (74) at nine-under 279.

  Paula Creamer (69) and Morgan Pressel (75) finished at 280.

  Annika Sorenstam, who was trying to win this tournament once before she retires, closed with her best round of the week, a three-under 69 that left her tied for 33rd place at two-under 286.

  "It was nice to conquer the course at least one day," said Sorenstam, who is gearing up for a run at her fourth U.S. Women's Open title next week.

  Pettersen clung to her three-shot lead until the 13th hole, where her bogey coupled with Ji's 30-foot birdie putt left the Korean just one shot back. It was the beginning of a four-shot swing on just three holes that would turn the tournament around.

  After both players parred the 14th, Ji rolled in a six-foot birdie putt at the 15th to keep the pressure on Pettersen.

  She did not respond well.

  Pettersen missed a five-footer for par on 14, stumbling to a bogey that suddenly left her playing catch-up. She went on to birdie the 17th, but so did Ji -- maintaining her one-shot lead heading to the last hole.

  Ji was proud of her clutch 10-foot birdie putt at the 17th.

  "I knew if I made that birdie putt I would win this tournament," said Ji. "So I really tried to get a birdie there." She went on to knock her second shot onto the 18th green, while Pettersen found the rough off the tee and came up short on her approach on the way to a bogey. All Ji needed was a two-putt par for the win.

  It was an anti-climactic end to Ji's six-hole rally -- a surge she attributed to the confidence she gained making three birdies on her first four holes Sunday.

  "I kept playing my game," said Ji, who claimed $300,000 for the win. "And here I am."

  06/22 17:43:43 ET