Stanford holds off Sorenstam in Mexico

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Annika Sorenstam nearly holed her third shot on the par-5 18th hole and lipped out a 9-foot birdie try to give Angela Stanford a one-stroke victory Sunday in the inaugural Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Sorenstam, making her second-to-last start before she leaves the LPGA Tour, holed out from a bunker for a birdie on the par-3 16th to get to 12 under — a stroke behind Stanford — but settled for pars on the final two holes. On the 18th, her wedge shot rolled past the side of the cup as it spun back down the green.

"I certainly had a chance today, but Angela played very well," Sorenstam said. "As you know, she really didn't make too many mistakes and made a few birdies there both on 10 and what was it, 11. I was tracing her all day, but I never gave up, kept on fighting and I had a chance to force a playoff. ... Obviously, I was disappointed with that, but overall I thought it was a great tournament and I really tried."

Stanford two-putted for a par on No. 18 before Sorenstam missed her birdie attempt.

"I had done such a good job all day of staying in the moment and kind of prepared myself for the playoff," Stanford said. "I would have been a little nervous in that playoff just because it's Annika. ... There was a moment there where I thought, 'Hmmm, I'd rather not have a playoff.' "

Stanford, the Bell Micro LPGA Classic winner in September, closed with a 3-under 69.

The 30-year-old Texan had a 13-under 275 total on the Guadalajara Country Club course and earned $200,000 for her third LPGA Tour title. She has five consecutive top-five finishes.

"It just continues to give me confidence and give me the belief in what I'm doing and how I'm playing right now," Stanford said. "And going into next year, hopefully this will push me into the top 10 in the world. I hope."

Brittany Lang (65) tied for second with Sorenstam.

Ochoa (70), the top-ranked player in the world, tied for 14th at 4 under.

"Wish I'd been in contention to win the tournament, but this has been a week where I've learned a lot, both as a player and a tournament hostess," Ochoa said. "I think that the upcoming events will be easier. This week was a bit complicated, too many emotions going on, but I'm sure this will make me a better player."

Singh of India wins

Singapore Open

SINGAPORE — Jeev Milkha Singh of India closed with a 2-under 69 to win the Singapore Open by one stroke over Ernie Els of South Africa and Padraig Harrington of Ireland.

Singh, who was five shots off the lead after the third round, finished at 7-under 277. Els closed with a 71 and Harrington had a 70.

"The golfing gods were on my side," said Singh, who earned $792,500.

Thailand's Chapchai Nirat, who led going into the final round, shot a 78 and finished at 3 under to share seventh place with Thomas Bjorn (74) of Denmark.

American Phil Mickelson (75) was ninth. He put two shots in the water on the seventh hole, where he had a triple bogey.

After Singh ended his round with a par, Els was the lone player capable of forcing a playoff.

Els, needing to make a 15-foot birdie putt, watched his ball curl along the near lip of the cup and threw his putter in the air in disbelief.

"The gods were not with me," said Els, who also had near-misses at the 15th and 17th greens. "It could have been a win."