Inkster overtakes Sorenstam to win U.S. Women's Open

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Juli Inkster whipped the Kansas crowd into a frenzy at every turn Sunday in the U.S. Women's Open, the cheers becoming more deafening with every crucial putt she made.

When the greatest round in her Hall of Fame career was over and her second Open title was all but assured, she jogged up the hill next to the 18th green, slapping hands with a gallery that was caving in around her.

Some of them were at Prairie Dunes when Inkster, then a 20-year-old newlywed, won the first of her three straight U.S. Women's Amateur titles.

Twenty-two years and two daughters later, she is just as tough, just as tenacious and still packs a short game that ranks among the best.

"This one was a lot tougher, but a lot more satisfying," Inkster said after closing with a 4-under 66 for a two-stroke victory over Annika Sorenstam.

"The crowd was phenomenal, and I fed off that," she said. "To beat the best player in the world, you don't get an opportunity to do that often. This is pretty sweet."

Facing a two-stroke deficit against the most dominant player in her game, Inkster won the U.S. Women's Open by matching the best closing round by a champion in the 57-year history of the championship.

"As far as the pressure and the conditions and what was at stake, I'd say it's probably No. 1," she said of her final round. "It is right now."

Sorenstam, already a winner in six of her first 12 events, finished with an even-par 70 and shot par or better all four rounds. It wasn't enough.

"I did everything I could," Sorenstam said. "I think I played great golf. Juli played excellent. She really outplayed me. There was nothing I could do. I gave it all, and I'm happy about that."

Inkster finished at 276 and earned $535,000, the largest payoff in women's golf. She now has won seven majors, the most among active players.

"I hope I don't wake up for a while," she said. "It was awesome."

Sorenstam had a 2-under 278, a score that figured to win this Open. Her chances slipped away when she watched from the 15th tee box as Inkster made a 15-foot par putt, then dropped a 12-footer for birdie on 16 that rocked the prairie.

"My heart was pumping so hard," Inkster said.

Sorenstam followed with two straight bogeys, and her fading hopes ended when she drove into the rough on No. 18.

Western Open

Jerry Kelly grabbed the lead early and made a birdie anytime someone mounted a challenge, shooting a 7-under 65 to win the Western Open by two strokes.

Davis Love III was runner-up for a second year, running into trouble on the last three holes once again. He shot a 6-under 66, but made bogey on the 17th to cost himself any chance he had of winning.

Kelly finished with a 19-under 269, two strokes off the Western Open record. He earned $720,000 for the win.

Brandt Jobe was third at 273, and second-round leader John Cook was fourth at 274. Robert Allenby, who began the day with a two-stroke lead, faded badly and finished seven shots behind Kelly.

Canada Senior Open

LASALLE, Ontario -- Tom Jenkins had five birdies over his final nine holes in a 7-under 64 and won the Canada Senior Open for the second time in three years.

Jenkins, the first-round leader after a 63, finished with an 18-under 195 total, three shots ahead of Walter Morgan, Morris Hatalsky and Bruce Lietzke at the 6,703-yard Essex Golf and Country Club course.

Lietzke eagled the par-5 10th to take a two-stroke lead over Jenkins, who shared the second-round lead with Hatalsky. Jenkins then made four straight birdies, retaking the lead at No. 13 when Lietzke made a good save for par.

Jenkins, who won $240,000, clinched the win with a long birdie putt on No. 16 for a three-stroke lead.

European Open

STRAFFAN, Ireland -- Michael Campbell claimed a one-stroke victory at the European Open, despite bogeying the last four holes and shooting 1-over-par 73.

Campbell, who held a five-stroke lead with four holes remaining, finished with a 6-under-par total of 282.

Padraig Harrington, playing with Campbell, missed a 2-foot par putt at No. 17 and hit into a greenside lake at No. 18, finishing in a tie for second place at 283 with 2001 U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie and Bradley Dredge of Wales.

Harrington shot a 69 in the final round. Goosen and Dredge each fired 68s, and Lawrie finished with a 73.

-- From wire reports