Lopez Charges to Two-Shot Victory

Nancy Lopez put together a late surge with birdies at the 15th and 16th holes Sunday to win the $425,000 Sara Lee Classic by two strokes over Kris Monaghan.

Lopez shot a one-under-par 71 to finish with a 54-hole total of 10-under 206, good for her 44th LPGA Tour victory.

Lopez, who is expecting her third child in November, led the tournament throughout until Monaghan, who shot 70, took the lead with a birdie at No. 7. Monaghan moved to 11 under, three shots better than the field, with eight holes remaining before she faltered and Lopez began her charge.

Lopez matched par on the back nine until reaching the par-four 15th, where she rolled in a 30-foot putt. She added a 10-foot putt on No. 16 to take home a $63,750 winner’s check.

“I know myself,” Lopez said. “I’m convinced that if I play my own game, I can win. I felt if I let myself get involved in what everybody else is doing, I’ll fail.”