Matthew wins Lorena Ochoa Invitational
Catriona Matthew captured the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, shooting a final round one-under 71 in Mexico Sunday for a four-shot victory and her fourth career LPGA Tour title.
The 42-year-old Scot, whose last victory came in the Women's British Open in 2009, had a 12-under 276 total at Guadalajara Country Club.
"I had a big lead there after nine holes," said Matthew, who earned $200 000 in first-place prize money.
"I don't know whether it was more difficult with a big lead. I didn't know whether to attack. Luckily, I had a big enough lead."
Last year's winner IK Kim of South Korea and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist each closed with a 71 and tied for second in the 36 player event.
American Juli Inkster had a 72 to tie for fourth with Japan's Ai Miyazato (71) and South Korea's Hee Kyung Seo (69) at five under.
But Matthew, who is ranked 34th in the world, was the most consistent golfer throughout the week as three of her four rounds were scored in the 60s.
She entered the final round with a three-shot lead over Suzann Pettersen and birdied the first two holes to increase the gap to five over the Norwegian.
"I'm getting older, so I don't know how many more chances I'm going to have," said Matthew.
Matthew said she would celebrate the win with a drink.
"I'm absolutely delighted," Matthew said. "I don't think it's quite sunk in yet. I got off to a good start and hung in there. I'm so exhausted at the moment, but I'm sure I will pick up after a margarita."
Former winner Michelle Wie tied for ninth at two under after a 71.
World No 1 Yani Tseng, of Taiwan, shot a 72 to tie for 19th at three over.
Tournament host Ochoa is expecting her first child next month. The 27-time LPGA Tour winner retired last year.
FINAL-ROUND SCORERS (USA unless stated):
276 - Catriona Matthew (SCO) 69-68-68-71
280 - I.K. Kim (KOR) 72-67-70-71, Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 71-65-73-71
283 - Juli Inkster 67-69-75-72, Ai Miyazato (JPN) 72-71-69-71, Hee Kyung Seo (KOR) 74-69-71-69
284 - Suzann Pettersen (NOR) 67-70-71-76
285 - Maria Hjorth (SWE) 70-72-71-72
286 - Paula Creamer 70-71-72-73, Brittany Lang 71-74-70-71, Michelle Wie 70-71-74-71–286
287 - Karen Stupples (ENG) 75-69-74-69
288 - Cristie Kerr 70-75-71-72, Meena Lee (KOR) 68-69-76-75
289 - Brittany Lincicome 72-75-69-73
290 - Sandra Gal (GER) 75-71-71-73, Natalie Gulbis 75-70-72-73, Azahara Munoz (ESP) 74-71-73-72
291 - Mika Miyazato (JPN) 71-72-75-73, Morgan Pressel 74-71-68-78, Yani Tseng (TPE) 76-69-74-72
292 - Chella Choi (KOR) 74-74-73-71, Katie Futcher 77-77-69-69, Se Ri Pak (KOR) 70-71-75-76
293 - Sophie Gustafson (SWE) 70-73-74-76, Song-Hee Kim (KOR) 72-72-72-77, Sophia Sheridan (MEX) 75-73-72-73
294 - Stacy Lewis 71-75-71-77
296 - Mindy Kim 74-76-73-73
297 - Angela Stanford 71-71-74-81, Amy Yang (KOR) 74-71-75-77
298 - Hee Young Park (KOR) 75-71-77-75
299 - Beatriz Recari (ESP) 73-75-75-76
300 - Candie Kung (TPE) 75-73-74-78
303 - Regina Plasencia (MEX) 77-76-74-76
308 - Lili Alvarez (MEX) 74-76-76-82
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