Stupples shoots 63 to claim Welch's/Fry's Championship

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Karen Stupples played like a winner. At the end of the LPGA Tour season opener, the tag applied.

The 30-year-old Englishwoman deflected the pressure back onto her pursuers Sunday, stretching a one-shot lead with six holes left into a five-shot victory over Grace Park and Jung Yeon Lee in the Welch's/Fry's Championship.

On the way to her first tour title, she shot the best 72-hole score in LPGA Tour history, closing with a 7-under 63 to finish the event at 22-under 258.

"It's unbelievable," said Stupples, who had never finished higher than a tie for third in five previous years on tour. "I had no idea all of that was going to happen."

Wendy Doolan set the previous record (259) last year, the first time for the tournament was played on the 6,176-yard Dell Urich layout.

Stupples eagled the 13th hole to pull away from her nearest rivals.

Stupples' 30-foot eagle putt on No. 13 got her to 21 under -- good for a three-stroke lead -- and made the finish a cakewalk.

After a birdie at No. 16, she approached the 18th green fighting back tears, a battle she lost after holing an 8-foot putt to save par and match her best 18-hole score, set Thursday in the first round.

"I really struggled emotionally to keep it all under control," Stupples said. "My caddie was telling me, 'Keep it under control.' But every time I gave myself a second to think about what was happening, it just overwhelmed me every time."

When the ball dropped, Stupples hugged her caddie, Park, Davies and their caddies and wiped tears from her eyes as the reality of a first title and a $120,000 paycheck sank in.

PGA Tour

Todd Hamilton blew a four-shot leadbut recovered with birdies on his final two holes, stuffing an 8-iron into 4 feet on No. 18 to close with a 2-over 74 and beat Davis Love III by one shot.

-- From wire reports