Kim rallies, wins Longs Drugs Challenge by 1

AUBURN, Calif. (AP) -- Christina Kim's supporters helped propel her to her first LPGA victory.

Kim made a charge on the back nine Sunday, shooting a 6-under 65 at the Longs Drugs Challenge for a one-shot victory over Karrie Webb.

With her father, Man, serving as her caddie, and family and friends from San Jose in the gallery, Kim never let the pressure of going after her first tour win bother her.

"Hearing everyone scream, telling you that you can do it, that's so heartwarming," the 20-year-old Kim said. "I have always wanted to win close to home. I'm a show off. I wanted to be able to show off in front of my friends."

Kim, who was the first-round leader with a 64, made five birdies on the back side in finishing with an 18-under 266 at The Ridge Golf Club, located 30 miles east of Sacramento.

Webb had a chance to force a playoff on the final hole, but missed a 7-foot birdie attempt. Webb shot a 64 Sunday that included two birdies on the front side and an eagle to move into contention. She shared the lead until Kim's birdie on the 17th.

On the 18th, Kim's birdie putt rolled left of the hole. But Webb then missed her birdie attempt and had to settle for second place.

"I'm disappointed I didn't make that putt on 18, but I can't be disappointed in the way I played all week," Webb said.

After making her two-foot putt for par to clinch the win, Kim went to her knees, began to cry and eventually sought out her dad for a hug.

"Watching that putt (of Webb's) was agonizing," Kim said. "It seemed to roll so slowly. I thought it was in, then it sped up and went past the hole. I stood dumfounded. It was the longest two-footer (for the win) I ever had to make."

Two-time Longs Drugs winner Juli Inkster had three birdies on the front side and led by two shots heading to No. 10. She played the back nine even and finished with a 68, two shots behind Kim.

"She (Kim) must have played well today. I saw all her putts," said Inkster, who played in the final group behind Kim and Webb. "All the holes were right in front of us, you could see what they were doing all day."

Third-round leader Leta Lindley, who entered the final round a shot ahead in search of her first LPGA victory, dropped off the leader board following a double bogey at No. 11 and shot a 76.

The best round of the day belonged to Anna Acker-Macosko, who shot an 11-under 60 and made a run at Annika Sorenstam's tour record of 59.

It was the second round of 60 this year. Jung Yeon Lee had a 60 on the par-70 course in Tucson, Ariz., during the first tournament of the season.

Acker-Macosko walked to the 18th green with a chance for one more birdie, which would have given her a share of the record. The downhill 30-foot putt broke right of the hole and she made a short putt for par. She finished at 13-under 271.

"I wasn't thinking about winning the tournament, I was thinking about the 59," said Acker-Macosko, who also missed a 23-foot birdie putt on 17. "It's probably the closest I'll ever come to tying one of Annika's records. It's a once-in-a-lifetime round."

Hee-Won Han (65) finished fourth and Jeong Jang (62) tied Acker-Macosko for fifth place.