Date: December 15, 2008
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Sorenstam signs off

Annika Sorenstam brought the curtain down on her 15-year career by finishing in a five-way tie for seventh place at the Dubai Ladies Masters. The 37-year-old, who had topped the leaderboard at the halfway stage, fell off the pace in the final two rounds to card an overall score of six-under-par, seven shots behind tournament winner Anja Monke of Germany. Sorenstam&aposs final round of 71 included four birdies – one of which came on the 18th – and three bogeys, and the Swede had mixed emotions when she walked off the final green. “I&aposm both happy and sad,” she said. “The motivation is no longer there but I&aposm very proud of what I&aposve achieved in the last 15 years.” Many of Sorenstam&aposs fellow players applauded her off the 18th green and she added: “It means a lot.” “When you get that kind of respect from the players it breaks your heart. I felt it today and it was very special.” Monke shot a final round of 68 – including five birdies – to claim the title on 13-under, three shots ahead of Italian Veronica Zorzi. England&aposs Laura Davies was a further shot behind after a closing 69, with Sophie Giquel of France fourth on eight-under and Trish Johnson and Iben Tinning tied on seven-under for fifth place. Australian Anna Rawson took a share of sixth place alongside Sorenstam, Korean Amy Yang, South Africa&aposs Ashleigh Simon and Englishwoman Melissa Reid. Of the other Aussies, Leah Hart finished at four-under, Nikki Garrett at two-under and Dana Lacey at three-over.