Anna Nordqvist of Sweden closed with a 2-under-par 69 and held on for a one-stroke victory over Christel Boeljon of France in the ShopRite LPGA Classic on the Bay Course at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway, N.J.
The 27-year-old Nordqvisrt, who won the 2007 Pacific 12 Conference championship as a freshman at Arizona State, claimed her fifth victory on the LPGA Tour by making a 12-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole and an eight-footer for another birdie at No. 17 before surviving a closing bogey.
“I worked very hard at home last week at home and tried to get my mind focused,” said Nordqvist, who won the Honda LPGA Thailand and the Kia Classic last year. “I’ve played really solid this year, but just hadn’t won.
“It was windy all week and the course played very tough. I made great putts and 16 and 17, and I’m very proud of the way I played. It’s Mother’s Day in Sweden today and my mom is here, so Happy Mother’s Day to her.”
Boeljon, winless in five seasons on the PGA Tour, finished with a 68 but missed an 18-inch putt on the final hole that would have put her in a playoff with Nordqvist.
Morgan Pressel, who led the first two days and was bidding for her first victory since 2008, struggled to a 73 and wound up three shots back in a tie for third with rookie Kelly Shon, who posted a 70.
Inbee Park of South Korea, who needed a tie for third or better to regain the No. 1 spot in the World Golf Rankings, shot 68 and was four strokes behind in a tie for fifth with Karrie Webb of Australia, who had a 66, Austin Ernst, who finished at 64, Gerina Piller, who carded a 71, and Mirim Lee of South Korea, who came in at 69.
Paula Creamer of Pleasanton closed with a 71 to tie for 16th and defending champion Stacy Lewis tied for 51st after a 70.
