Karrie Webb wins LPGA Classic for sick grandmother

Webb fired a three-under through the first three holes en route to a 3-under-par 68 for a two-shot victory at the LPGA Classic.

The Australian Hall-of-Famer finished at 4-under 209 in the $US1.5 million, 54-hole event to post her first win on the LPGA Tour in over two years.

Webb's last win was the 2011 RR Donnelley Founders Cup.

The 38-year-old from Queensland revealed she nearly did not play in the New Jersey tournament as she was distraught over the health of her grandmother this week.

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."

 Webb powers a drive home in New Jersey
PHOTO: Powerful start ... Karrie Webb exploited Feng Shanshan's four-over round to win by two strokes.
Second-round leader Feng Shanshan, of China, stumbled to a 4-over 75 during her final round to fall into second place at 2-under 211, while South Korea's Park Hee-Young placed third after firing a 71 for 212

South Korea's Jenny Shin shot a 1-under 70 and finished fourth at even-par 213.

Webb, who started the day at 1-under, parred the first hole then made birdie on the par-4 number two. She followed that up with an eagle on the par-5 third to move to 4-under.

Her only bogey of the day came at the par-4 sixth, but she capped her round in style with a birdie on the par-5 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 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."