TSENG HOLDS OFF FIELD FOR STATE FARM TITLE

YANI TSENG

@YaniTseng

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Top-ranked Yani Tseng won what could be the final LPGA State Farm Classic on Sunday, closing with a 4-under 68 to hand Cristie Kerr her third straight second-place finish.

Tseng, from Chinese Taipei, had a 21-under 267 total on the Panther Creek course for her seventh tour title in four years. She also won the season-opening LPGA Thailand. Tseng used rounds of 67-66-66-68 on her way to the victory.

In the 2008 tournament, Tseng led by a stroke with a hole left, but flew the green, made bogey then lost to Ji Young Oh in a playoff when she three-putting the first extra hole.

"I just kept telling myself: 'Focus! Focus!' " said Tseng, bogey-free the final two rounds. "I missed a couple of putts but I still was able to make some birdies."

Tseng bought Annika Sorenstam's house - with its giant trophy case - in Florida in 2009.

"I go back to my house and see all that empty space and I try to fill it up," Tseng said. "I want to put all my amateur trophies in there and get closer."

Kerr, the 2010 winner, finished three strokes back, shooting a 67.

"I played good. I just needed to get some of those putts to the hole, give 'em a chance to go in," Kerr said. "It would have been nice to make birdie on the last hole, but it didn't matter. She was too far ahead."

Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome (70) tied for third at 16 under. Lincicome triumphed last week at the LPGA event in New Jersey.

Early-tournament leader Mindy Kim struggled to a disappointing 1-over-par 73 and settled for a share of fifth place with Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak at 15 under for the tournament.

Title sponsor State Farm Insurance Companies had declined to renew its commitment after this year and a replacement sponsor has yet to be found, putting the event in danger of folding.

- Jeremy Pond & The Associated Press reports

Note: Analysis and highlights to follow later about the event.