Date: September 08, 2008
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No fairytale finish for Annika

Veteran Annika Sorenstam finished third at the Nykredit Masters on Sunday on her final appearance in Europe. The Swede, who will retire at the end of the year, shot a two-under-par 71 to end on nine under for the 54-hole competition, five shots behind winner Martina Eberl of Germany. Nikki Garrett was the best placed Aussie in a tie for 25th at one-under par, while Frances Bondad finished a further stroke back in a tie for 28th. Eberl&aposs final-round 66 left her 14 under in total, a shot better than Englishwoman Melissa Reid, who had to settle for second place following a level-par 73 at Simon&aposs Golf Club. Sorenstam carded three birdies and one three-putt bogey in her final round but missed multiple opportunities, ending the chance of a fairytale finish to an illustrious European career. “I played well and hit the ball beautifully but Martina played better today,” said Sorenstam, 37. “You can only do what you can do and it wasn&apost enough. “I wasn&apost thinking about it being my last tournament in Europe throughout the round as I was focused on my game but at the last hole I was thinking &aposNow it comes to an end&apos.” Eberl caught overnight leader Reid after six birdies in her first 15 holes and was two shots ahead of the 20-year-old after further birdies on holes 16 and 17. The German bogeyed the last but Reid missed a five-foot birdie chance which would have forced a play-off. “It is another confidence boost and what I needed,” said Eberl after her third European Tour victory in 12 months. “It&aposs a good set for the next few weeks with Arras and Madrid coming up. “On 18, I found my ball in the trees and I&aposm glad I have a great caddie who tells me that a bogey is enough.” “It was a great day and I enjoyed playing with Annika for three rounds.” Denmark&aposs Iben Tinning was fourth on eight-under after closing with a 71, while her compatriot Julie Tvede shared sixth with England&aposs Laura Davies, Beth Allen of the United States and two-time LET winner Lotta Wahlin of Sweden on five-under-par.