Annika Sorenstam held off a strong challenge from Iben Tinning to retain her Dubai Ladies Masters -- her first title of the current season -- at the Emirates Golf Club.
The defending champion closed with a two-under-par 70 for a tournament total of 10-under-par to beat Denmark's Tinning by two shots and claim the winner's cheque for euro 75,000 from Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Tinning, who started the day with a one-shot lead, had her moments but hit her approach shot into a big lake guarding the 18th while Sorenstam comfortably holed for a par to end the season with a broad smile lighting her face. Tinning, who carded a 73, finished tied second on eight-under-par along with Laura Davies, who played level par. Sorenstam, who spent much of the year battling against a succession of back problems, was delighted with her efforts. "It feels wonderful. It's been kind of a tough year for me inside the ropes and to come here and defend a title and to play so consistent and bring the trophy home; it's just a wonderful feeling," said the winner of the 10 major titles in a glittering career spanning almost 15 years.
Meanwhile, Sweden's Louise Stahle won the Rookie of the Year award to join the ranks of past winners which include Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb and Suzann Petterson.