Inskster defends title

LINCOLN, Calif. (AP) -- Despite everything Juli Inkster has accomplished in her golf career, she manages to stay motivated.

She proved it Sunday by successfully defending her LPGA Longs Drugs Challenge title with a five-stroke victory after shooting even-par on the final day.

Inkster, playing about 125 miles from her Los Altos home, had a tournament-record 13-under 275 total at Twelve Bridges Golf Club. The Hall of Famer earned $105,000 for her 23rd career victory.

''I don't really see myself in the Hall of Fame and think that I don't have to play good golf anymore,'' said Inkster, who won last year's tournament by four strokes. ''I am still hungry and I have a lot of desire to play well. When I'm on a good roll like last year, I can win a lot.''

Brandie Burton closed with a 74 to finish second. Sweden's Carin Koch (74) was another stroke back at 281, and Australia's Rachel Heatherington (73) finished fourth at 284.

''Juli played good all around,'' Burton said. ''She flat out ran the field.''

A year ago, Inkster won four of six tournaments when she was the leader heading into the final round.

She did it again in Lincoln, taking control from the start when she hit a 9-iron to within one inch of the cup, tapping in for a birdie.

''It is always a little nerve-racking to be the leader and the front-runner, but I like it because it makes me focus on what I am doing,'' Inkster said. ''I think my game is always pretty aggressive. It just stays the same.''

After a relatively calm morning, the weather became a factor on the final nine holes with wind gusts over 20 mph.

Leading by three strokes, Inkster birdie three of the first four holes and was 3-under on the front side. She struggled over the final nine holes .