Karrie Webb wins LPGA ShopRite

Karrie Webb got off to a hot start by going three-under through the first three holes en route to a three-under 68 for a two-shot victory at the LPGA Tour's ShopRite Classic.

Webb is expected to move into the top 10 in world rankings with this victory

GALLOWAY, New Jersey, June 2, 2013 (AFP) - The Australian Hall-of-Famer finished at four-under 209 in the $1.5 million, 54-hole event to post her first win on the LPGA Tour in over two years and 39th of her career. Her last win was the 2011 RR Donnelley Founders Cup.

The 38-year-old from Queensland said she was distraught this week because her grandmother is very sick in the hospital. At one stage, Webb wondered if she was going to see her again.

"My grandmother is ill at home and we thought she was going to pass," Webb said. "She told me that I had to win this tournament for her.

"She's on the mend now but still in the hospital."

Second-round leader Feng Shanshan, of China, stumbled to a four-over 75 during her final round to fall into second place at two-under 211, while South Korea's Park Hee-Young placed third after firing a 71 for 212

South Korea's Jenny Shin shot a one-under 70 and finished fourth at even-par 213.

Webb, who started the day at one-under, parred the first hole Sunday then made birdie on the par-four number two. She followed that up with an eagle on the par-five third to move to four-under.

Her only bogey of the day came at the par-four sixth, but she capped her round in style with a birdie on the par-five 18th.

Webb, who is expected to move into the top 10 in world rankings with this victory, said the win not only will please her grandmother but it also validates the hard work she has put into improving her game.

"It never gets old and it never gets any easier," Webb said. "I am just glad I pulled it out. It was a great birdie on the last hole."

Feng stumbled out the gate Sunday with two double bogeys in the first five holes. She had three bogeys and one birdie on the back nine.

It was a disappointing preparation for her defence next week of her LPGA Championship major title in suburban Rochester, New York.

Her triumph in that tournament last year made her the first Chinese player to win an LPGA Tour event.

Feng, of Guangzhou, said the windy conditions threw her off.

"Today was tough," Feng said. "It was tough conditions. I did OK even though I played plus four."

Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the 54-hole ShopRite LPGA Classic (USA unless noted, par 71)

209 - Karrie Webb (AUS) 72-69-68

211 - Feng Shanshan (CHN) 69-67-75

212 - Park Hee-Young (KOR) 69-72-71

213 - Jenny Shin (KOR) 70-73-70

214 - Jang Jeong (KOR) 73-71-70, Kim In-Kyung (KOR) 72-70-72, Gerina Piller 70-75-69, Chie Arimura (JPN) 73-67-74

215 - Michelle Wie 68-73-74, Julieta Granada 71-73-71, Ayako Uehara (JPN) 75-69-71, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 73-72-70

216 - Cristie Kerr 73-75-68, Paula Creamer 74-74-68, Amanda Blumenherst 66-75-75, Mika Miyazato (JPN) 72-70-74

217 - Jenny Rosales (PHI) 72-75-70, Christina Kim 71-74-72, Ai Miyazato (JPN) 70-74-73, Choi Na-Yeon (KOR) 74-71-72, Nicole Castrale 74-72-71, Seo Hee-Kyung (KOR) 75-72-70, Shin Jiyai (KOR) 71-76-70, Beatriz Recari (ESP) 69-73-75, Alison Walshe 77-71-69, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 66-73-78