Inkster overcomes six-shot deficit to win at Safeway International Presented by Coca-Cola

Hall of Famer posts 31st career victory

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN, Ariz., March 19, 2006 – She struggled on her greens throughout the tournament, but when it came down to the wire, Juli Inkster overcame a six-shot deficit during the final round on Sunday to win with a 15-under-par 273 (68-68-70-67) at the Safeway International Presented by Coca-Cola. It marked the 18th time in her 31 career victories that the hall of famer has come from behind to win.

"I knew I could win again, I just needed the tools to do it," Inkster said. "I feel like now I’m hitting the ball the best I have ever hit it, so just repeating it is what you need to do."

Inkster’s $210,000 paycheck pushed her over the $10 million-mark in career earnings. It was her first victory in 49 starts, with her last win occurring at the Evian Masters July 26, 2003.

Inkster entered the final round four-strokes behind two-day leader Sarah Lee. A storm system with lightning, heavy rain and hail suspended play for almost two hours and, although she warmed up in the rain, Inkster said the rain ceased by the second hole. Still, on her third hole, she was facing a six-stroke deficit from the leaders.

"I have a tendency to get a little impatient out there when I’m playing well and not showing anything for it," she said. "I just felt if I could just keep hitting the fairways and hitting the greens, sooner or later, I’m going to make some putts."

Inkster birdied holes four and five and then lit-up the links on the back nine with four birdies on holes 11, 12, 14 and 18. As daylight was waning on 16, her chip off the green put her within 10-feet of the hole, but she missed the putt to save par. As she approached the par-5, 513-yard 18th, she was unsure where the leaders were at and knew she at least had to birdie to force a playoff. Her sand wedge from the fringe placed the ball within three feet of victory. While she was satisfied with a birdie, she was still unsure where it would place her on the leader board.

As Inkster headed into the scoring tent, she was intercepted with multiple hugs from 2005 Solheim Cup teammates Paula Creamer, Laura Diaz and Cristie Kerr.

"I thought maybe I was one shot up," she said. "I thought she (Sarah Lee) had a chance to birdie and that’s why it kind of surprised me when everybody was hugging me. I’m thinking, ‘You know, she can birdie and there’s a playoff.’"

A playoff was not in the cards as both Sarah Lee and Aree Song double bogeyed 14 and Lee recorded a bogey on 17. Lee finished in second with a 65-67-70-73=275, while Song finished in sole possession of third with a 64-69-70-73=276.

"I thought after 14, even though I made a double bogey, I had another hole left. So I'm thinking all the time as a positive as I can," Lee said. "I knew Julie Inkster and Paula Creamer are great players and were in front of our group. I can't think about that; all I can do is play my game."

Defending champion Annika Sorenstam bounced back with a low, final-round 66 to tie for 19th at 7-under-par.

View full results from the 2006 tournament. Click Here .