Davies' major charge comes too late

Britain's Laura Davies made a gallant bid for victory but was forced to settle for fourth place in the Kraft Nabisco Championship at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, on Sunday.

The overnight leader, France's Patricia Meunier Lebouc, claimed her first major title and denied Annika Sorenstam a place in the record books with a final-round 73, finishing on seven-under par. It was enough to win by a shot from Sorenstam, who had been aiming to make history by winning the title for a third time in a row.

Davies shot a two-under par 70, to finish three shots behind Lebouc. "I'm disappointed because I played really well all week, but just wasn't quite consistent enough," she said. Scotland's Catriona Matthew also struck a round of 70. Her three-over par total was good enough for a share of fifth place.

Michelle Wie, the 13-year-old prodigy from Hawaii, who was in third place after a third-round 66 – the best score of the round, played in the final threesome and was far from outclassed. She dropped a few shots, but her 76 secured a share of ninth place and the amateur prize.