MasterCard Classic: Francella beats Sorenstam

Mexico:

Meaghan Francella sunk a 4-foot putt for birdie and beat Annika Sorenstam on the fourth hole of a playoff on Monday to win the rain-plagued MasterCard Classic for her first victory on the US LPGA Tour. The 24-year-old American was making only her sixth start on the American women's tour after earning her tour card last year with a fifth-place finish on the Futures Tour money list. "I can't describe it. It's something I've worked for my entire life," Francella said. "Annika is the best player in the world and I was little intimidated. "I was on the third tee with her and I thought, `Man am I really doing this?' I thought I was dreaming. It was pretty exciting." Francella, the second-round leader, closed with a 3-under 69 to match Sorenstam (66) at 11-under 205 on the Bosque Real Country Club course, the longest on the tour at 6,932 yards and also the highest at about 3,600 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level. 4-foot victory putt Francella made the 4-foot putt for the victory after Sorenstam, the two-time defending champion making her first start of the year, missed a 7-foot birdie try. "I wasn't expecting Annika to miss that putt," Francella said. "I just stayed in my moment and made that putt. I had nothing to lose out there today." Francella, who earned $180,000 for the breakthrough victory, birdied the par-4 16th to tie Sorenstam at 11 under and finished regulation with two straight pars. Sorenstam had seven birdies and a bogey - on the 16th hole. "I think I'm playing as good as I could have asked for," Sorenstam said. "It's tough reading the putting on the green. It's about who can hang in there and stay patient. This is my first tournament of the year and I feel very good about my game. I'm very excited about the rest of the year and the upcoming tournament in Arizona." Angela Stanford (67), Bae Kyeong (67) and Stacy Prammanasudh (71) tied for third at 8 under, and Mexican Lorena Ochoa (70), Ahn Shi-hyun (67) and Choi Hye-jung (69) followed at 6 under.