Doolan wins Evian Masters

EVIAN, France -- Wendy Doolan shot a 7-under 65 in the final round of the Evian Masters on Saturday to beat top-ranked Annika Sorenstam by a stroke and collect the biggest check of her career.

Doolan finished at 18-under 270 to earn the $375,000 winner's check for the third title of her nine-year career.

She surged to the lead with a five-hole stretch during which she had three birdies and two eagles.

"That's a lot of birdies and eagles right there," Doolan said of her run on Nos. 6 through 10. "I'm going to cherish this because I wouldn't be surprised if it never happens again."

Doolan went from six strokes behind Sorenstam with 12 holes to play, to three strokes ahead with three to play.

"I just knew I had it in me to make a lot of birdies on this course," Doolan said. "This means what I'm doing is working for me."

The winner's check is more than Doolan has earned in any season in her career besides 2001, when she won a total of $405,103.

But Doolan had no plan to celebrate.

"I'll be following my usual routine before next week's British Open. Nothing different," she said.

Sorenstam, who entered the day with a three-stroke lead over Dalhousie touring pro Karen Stupples, played the first 15 holes in 2 over.

She then birdied the last three holes before having a putt for eagle on the 18th. However, her putt stopped six inches from the hole, leaving her at 271. Lorena Ochoa was another shot back in third after a final-round 68.

"I figured somebody would do something today," Sorenstam said. "I was obviously hoping it would be me. It's disappointing when you get into position to win and don't do it.

"But today I just didn't make anything happen."

Sorenstam had five birdies but also four bogeys in her 71.

Stupples shot a 70 to finish fourth at 273. She earned $138,408, her biggest paycheck of the year in her most successful season. Stupples earned $120,000 for winning the Welch's/Fry's Championship that kicked off the LPGA season in March.

Laura Davies shot a 71 to finish fifth at 278. U.S. Women's Open champ Meg Mallon had a 67 to move up to a share of sixth at 279.

Fourteen-year-old amateur Michelle Wie shot a 69 and tied for 33rd at 287.