With a major championship in her grasp, Suzann Pettersen never flinched.

Not at the furious charge from 18-year-old Na On Min, who made four straight birdies to pull within one shot. Not at the relentless pressure from Karrie Webb, who birdied the last two holes. And not at memories of a major meltdown 10 weeks ago.

Pettersen felt like a different person at the LPGA Championship in Havre De Grace, Md.

And it showed.

The 26-year-old Norwegian redeemed herself yesterday with a 5-under 67 for a one-shot victory over Webb and her first major. She played so close to perfection on the back nine at Bulle Rock that she had a birdie putt on every hole, only two of them longer than 12 feet.

There was no choke from this champion.

"I wasn't even close to being in those emotions that I was back then," said Pettersen, who blew a three-shot lead with four holes to play at the Kraft Nabisco. "I finally proved to all of you that I can actually put it all together and take a major. So now, I probably don't have to get that question again."

The only question now is how good she can get.

Webb described her earlier in the week as having more talent in her tiny finger than some players on the LPGA Tour, and Pettersen showed it on a demanding course, finishing at 14-under 274.

"I believe I can be the best player in the world," said Pettersen, who overcame a back injury two years ago so serious that doctors told her she might not ever play again. "But you have to give me time. It definitely helps with my confidence."

Webb closed with a 67 and had to settle for second.

Min, trying to become the youngest major champion in LPGA history, ran off four straight birdies through the 16th hole to get within one shot and had a 10-footer on the 17th. But she settled for pars on the last two holes for a 70 to finish third. It was her first time playing in a major, and only her sixth tournament as a pro.

Pettersen made four birdies on the back nine, none bigger than a 12-footer on the par-3 17th to give her a cushion going to the final hole. She needed only two putts from 30 feet to win, and the pace was perfect, just like every shot she hit down the stretch.

"It's certainly a nice feeling to stand on the green by yourself and lift the trophy," said Pettersen, who earned $300,000 and surpassed $1 million for the year, second only to Lorena Ochoa.

ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

Woody Austin shot an 8-under 62 — the best closing round on the PGA Tour this year — to win the Stanford St. Jude Championship by five strokes at Memphis, Tenn.

Austin, who had never finished better than a tie for 44th in his previous trips to the TPC Southwind course, finished at 13-under 267 to win $1.08 million.

Brian Davis finished second at 66—272.

Dean Wilson, a former Kane'ohe resident and Castle High graduate, shot 68—275 to finish in a tie for fifth. He won $228,000.

Parker McLachlin, a Punahou School graduate, shot 74—289 to win $12,180.

Principal Charity Classic: Jay Haas cruised to his third Champions Tour win of the season, shooting 69—201 to win by three strokes at West Des Moines, Iowa. R.W. Eaks (64) and Brad Bryant (67) finished tied for second at 9-under 204.

BA-CA Open: Richard Green beat Jean-Francois Remesy in a playoff after both finished at 16-under 268 to triumph at Oberwaltersdorf, Austria.