Pettersen cruises to victory at Canadian Open

Suzann Pettersen captured her first win of 2009 and sixth LPGA Tour victory by shooting a one-under 70 in the final round of the Canadian Women’s Open on Sunday.

Norway’s Pettersen finished with a 15-under 269 total to place five strokes ahead of five others, including Japan’s Momoko Ueda (65) and Ai Miyazato (67).

“It feels really good to win this one after last week’s loss in the playoff,” she said. “But you never feel safe. I had a five-, six-shot lead at the time on the back nine, but you’re playing against so good players.” Pettersen, who earned 412,000 dollars in first-place prize money, posted her first win in two years. She had a breakout season in 2007 with five victories.

The 28-year-old from Oslo and five-time Norwegian amateur champ has been playing much better in recent weeks, losing a playoff last week in Portland.

“I’ve been playing very good since 2007,” Pettersen said. “Gave myself a lot of chances to win tournaments, and like I’ve been saying, if you put yourself in position often enough, you’ll figure out how to close the deal.”

Her round featured five birdies including three straight to begin the back nine Sunday. She made bogey on the next two holes before finishing with five consecutive pars.

Ueda mounted a Sunday charge but still finished five shots back of Pettersen. The sophomore caught fire on the back nine with six birdies, including three-straight to complete the round. The round of the day belonged to South Korean rookie Shin Ji-yai who fired a superb eight-under 63. She got off to a quick start by making birdie on four of the first six holes.

“My golf was so easy,” Shin said. “I’m really happy with my shots. I just missed one fairway with the my driver, the last hole.

“I did my best. The first time in Canada this week, so I really take good memories from it.”

CALGARY, Canada, Sept 6, 2009, AFP