Sweden's Catrin Nilsmark beat renowned compatriot Annika Sorenstam when the reigning Player of the Year misfired with her putter on Sunday on the first play-off hole at the Valley of the Stars Championship in California.

After Nilsmark parred the first play-off hole - the par-five 440-yard 18th - Sorenstam missed a 21/2 -foot birdie putt that would have given her the victory. A rattled Sorenstam followed that by missing a six-inch tap-in for par.

Nilsmark earned £97,500 for her first LPGA Tour victory.

Nilsmark entered Sunday's round two shots ahead of Britain's Stephanie Lowe and four ahead of Sorenstam, who fired a five-underpar 67 at the Oakmont Country Club to force the playoff.

Nilsmark shot a final-round 71 to finish at 12-under 204.