11/16/2008 - Guadalajara, Mexico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Angela Stanford carded a three-under 69 Sunday to hold off Annika Sorenstam and Brittany Lang to win the inaugural Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
Stanford, who has posted five straight top-five finishes, completed her third LPGA Tour win at 13-under-par 275.
"It was a great day, you couldn't ask for anything more to be at Lorena's tournament and playing with Annika in the final round. That's just pretty special," said Stanford, who collected $200,000 for the win.
Sorenstam nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback. Down two shots on the 16th, she holed out from a bunker then made an up and down from short of the 17th green.
At the last, Sorenstam had a chance to force a playoff, but her seven-foot birdie putt lipped out giving Stanford the win.
"I still can't believe the putt didn't go in," Stanford exclaimed. "I'm still speechless."
Sorenstam also closed with a 69 to tie Lang in second at minus-12. Lang closed with a course-record and career-low, seven-under 65.
Tournament host and world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa closed with a two-under 70 to share 14th at four-under-par 284.
"It was a fun moment and very special on 18," said Ochoa, who closed with a birdie. "I am so pleased. It is a blessing to have the best players in the world right here in my home course. I couldn't ask for anything better, it has been amazing."
Stanford led by one to start the round and she parred the first five holes. Katherine Hull birdied the second and third to match Stanford at 10-under.
The 30-year-old Stanford rolled in a long birdie putt at the sixth to move one clear of Hull. However, Hull again forged a tie for the lead with a tap-in birdie on the eighth at Guadalajara Country Club.
Stanford moved back in front with an up-and-down birdie on the 10th. She came right back with a seven-foot birdie putt on the 11th to move two shots clear at minus-13.
Hull stumbled to a bogey on the 13th to fall three back and she never recovered.
Meanwhile, Sorenstam parred the first nine holes. At the 10th, she two-putted for birdie then ran home a long birdie putt at 14 to move to minus-11, where she trailed Stanford by two strokes.
Stanford parred four in a row from the 12th. At the par-four 16th, Stanford came up short with her approach, but chipped within two feet and kicked that in for par.
Sorenstam knocked her second over the green into a bunker. Facing a difficult up and down, Sorenstam hit a perfect bunker shot as the ball landed just on the green and tracked into the hole for birdie. She moved within one thanks to the stunning birdie.
At 17, Sorenstam got up and down for par from the front edge of the green. Stanford two-putted for par to hold a one-shot lead heading to the last.
Both Stanford and Sorenstam played their second shots down the fairway at the par-five closing hole. Stanford knocked her third to 15 feet. She just missed on the left edge and tapped in for par.
Sorenstam, whose approach shot nearly spun back into the cup, had seven feet for birdie. Her putt almost fell into the right side of the cup, but spun out giving Stanford the title.
"I thought I played really well. On the front, I really didn't make anything. A lot of lip-outs today," Sorenstam said. "It's a bummer. It was pretty much in on the last and it decided not to go in. I fought to the end and made some great saves the last three, four holes."
Lang birdied four of the first five holes to jump to minus-nine. After a bogey on the eighth, she birdied nine and 10 to get within one of Stanford. Lang birdied 14 and 17, but could only two-putt for par at the last to share second.
Hull, Meena Lee, Jeong Jang, Jee Young Lee and Sun Young Yoo shared fourth place at eight-under-par 280. In-Kyung Kim was one shot back at minus-seven.
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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
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