Suzann Pettersen, of Norway, yesterday produced one of the finest rounds of her life to keep her demons at bay and to secure her first major championship, the McDonald’s LPGA Championship, here at Bulle Rock.

Pettersen, who blew a three-shot lead with four holes to play at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Palm Springs two months ago, made no such mistake this time after arriving at the 72nd green requiring a par to lift the biggest title of her career and the $300,000 (about £152,000) first prize.

The 26-year-old Norwegian said she had learnt from her defeat in California and there was no arguing with her after a round of 67, for a total of 274, 14 under par, and victory by one shot over Karrie Webb and two over Na On Min, of South Korea.

Pettersen, whose round included six birdies – four on the back nine – and just one bogey, was pushed all the way by Webb, who rolled in a long curling putt at the last to throw down the gauntlet to the Norwegian, who was playing in the group behind.

But Pettersen, who started the day one stroke behind Min and who took the lead for the first time at the 7th, was equal to the challenge. She hit a good shot into the green and rolled her first putt to within two inches of the hole for a tap-in and a back nine of 32 that brought her what could be the first of several major championships.

After reaching the turn in 35, Pettersen was on ten under par, with Webb and Lindsey Wright within one shot and five others only two shots behind. But it was Webb, the winner of seven major championships and the former world No 1, who looked most threatening.

At the 11th, the Australian rolled in a birdie putt from 40 feet, but Pettersen bounced back immediately at the 10th hole with her third birdie of the day and picked up three more, at the 13th, 15th and 17th holes to keep the challengers at bay. It was a terrific performance and a thoroughly deserved victory.

One of the best stories of the week was that of Min, an 18-year-old rookie and one of 32 South Koreans in the field, who was playing in only her sixth professional event in the States. Min took up the game only six years ago but played incredibly well. Her third-round 65 in windy conditions was one of the rounds of the week and gave her, a complete unknown among the other players, a one-shot lead going into the final round.

It seemed as if the pressure might have finally got to her midway through the front nine when she dropped three shots in succession from the 6th, but she did not let it disturb her unduly and proceeded to birdie four holes on the trot from the 13th to get within one shot of Pettersen with two to play.

Michelle Wie’s week, and her reputation among her peers, started on a low note after she had turned up to practise here, two days after pulling out of a tournament with a wrist injury. And from there, sadly, her stock sank even lower. Yesterday, playing in the first group out, Wie had a round of 79 to go with rounds of 73, 74 and 83 for a total of 309, 21 over par. The 17-year-old Hawaian still attracted a sizeable following, but it seemed more like a funeral procession than anything else.

Wie struggled in all aspects of her game. Out in 39, home in 40, she had two double bogeys, five bogeys and only two birdies on her card. It was painful to watch and embarrassing for a player who had three top-five finishes in major championships last year and finished runner-up here two years ago.

But with her left wrist still not fully recovered from a fall in January in which she claims to have fractured it, her whole game seems to have fallen apart. It is doubtful that she will be ready in time for the US Women’s Open in three weeks, but she is determined to be there.

Catriona Matthew, of Scotland, finished highest among the British contingent, a final round of 67 moving her to seven under par and a tie for tenth.

Final scores

(United States unless stated) 274: S Pettersen (Nor) 69, 67, 71, 67. 275: K Webb (Aus) 68, 69, 71, 67. 276: Na On Min (S Kor) 71, 70, 65, 70. 278: L Wright (Aus) 71, 70, 71, 66. 279: A Park 67, 73, 68, 71. 280: P Creamer 71, 68, 73, 68; S Gustafson (Swe) 70, 71, 71, 68; B Lincicome 69, 69, 73, 69; L Ochoa (Mex) 71, 71, 69, 69. 281: C Matthew (GB) 71, 69, 74, 67; S Lee 71, 69, 72, 69; Jee Young Lee (S Kor) 71, 72, 68, 70; N Castrale 70, 73, 68, 70. 282: M Pressel 68, 71, 70, 73. 283: Mi Hyun Kim 70, 73, 71, 69; A Sorenstam (Swe) 70, 69, 73, 71; S Prammanasudh 68, 74, 71, 70. 284: C Kerr 75, 70, 73, 66; M McKay (Scot) 71, 69, 74, 70; Siew-Ai Lim (Malaysia) 72, 69, 70, 73.

— Brian Davis, of Great Britain, finished runner-up to Woody Austin, of the United States, after a 66 in the final round of the St Jude Championship in Memphis last night. Colin Montgomerie will be seeking a new caddie for the US Open, which starts at Oakmont on Thursday, after parting with Alastair McLean after the Austrian Open.