Sorenstam Gets Into the Victory Column

Annika Sorenstam rallied to win her first LPGA Tour event of the year, shooting a four-under-par 68 in windy conditions Sunday for a three-stroke victory in the inaugural MasterCard Classic at Mexico City. The tournament was the first LPGA Tour event in Mexico since 1975.

Sorenstam had eight birdies -- five in a row on Nos. 2-6 -- to offset four bogeys in the strong wind on the high-altitude Bosque Real Country Club course.

The Swedish star won her 57th LPGA Tour title, finishing at seven-under 209. Last year, she won eight tour events and two international titles.

Karrie Webb, the ANZ Ladies Masters winner last week in Australia, had a 70 to finish second.

Second-round leader Cristie Kerr shot a 75 to match Hee-Won Han (71) at three under.

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Ernie Els eagled the final hole to win the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates with a one-stroke victory over Miguel Angel Jimenez, who had led for most of the tournament.

Els shot a four-under 68 and finished at 19-under 269 in capturing his first title of 2005.

Jimenez, who shot 70, reached the green in two on the par-five 18th but settled for par. He missed a birdie putt from 10 feet and shared second with Stephen Dodd, who finished with a 66 for a 270.