Sherri Steinhauer sandwiched two bunker saves around a birdie at the 17th hole to hold off Christina Kim by a single shot in dramatic finish to the State Farm Classic.  Ms. Kim birdied the last three holes, chipping in on the 17th and rolling in a putt from the fringe on 18 to apply throat tightening pressure.  After a terrible bunker shot on 18, Ms Steinhauer faced a 23 foot putt for the win.  "I was just thinking two-putt and go for a playoff. Give it a chance, but just two-putt and go in the playoff and see what will happen. It went in. It was amazing," Steinhauer said after her first win since the 2006 Women’s British Open.

For Ms. Kim it was her second second place finish in a row. "Sherri has one of the best short games out here. I knew she was going to get up and down. And she’s made so few bogeys all week long, I didn’t think she would want to add one on the 72nd hole,” said Kim, also second in the 2004 State Farm Classic.  It was a nice thing to say but Ms. Steinhauer’s two sand shots on 16 and 18 were not very good at all.  It was that long putter that ended Ms. Kim’s chances.  Kudos are also due Ms. Kim for her reaction when Ms Steinhauer’s winning putt went in the hole, as she applauded as vigorously as anyone.

Annika Sorenstam made a run with a chip in eagle on the par 5 13th and a birdie at the par 4 16th pulled to within a shot of the lead.  She got no closer, finishing in a tie for third with Rachel Hetherington.  "I played pretty good this week," Sorenstam said. "I’m feeling better every day and the more I play the better I feel. So I think overall I have a lot of positive things to take from this week."

Ms. Steinhauer’s putter kept her atop the leaderboard from start to finish, just the fifth wire to wire win this year on the LPGA Tour.  "I tell you, there’s nothing like winning and it was just amazing to be back on top again. I can’t describe it. I’m just — boy, thank goodness for my putter or I wouldn’t be here," Steinhauer said.

For Wisconsin golf fans, the play of Ms. Steinhauer and Steve Stricker has given cause for much celebration involving large quantities of beer and brandy.