Annika Sorenstam held off the challenge of fellow Swede Liselotte Neumann to become the first back-to-back winner in the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Sorenstam closed with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory, claiming the LPGA Tour's first major championship of the year.

She knocked in a two-foot par putt on the final hole before Neumann faced a 15-foot birdie putt from just on the fringe that would have forced a playoff.

Unlike a year ago, when Sorenstam took the traditional plunge by racing into the water that surrounds the 18th green, this time she simply waded into the water with caddie Terry McNamara and his young daughter.

Sorenstam finished at 8-under 280 and earned US$225,000 for her 33rd career victory.

"What a day! It's been incredible," said Sorenstam, who captured her fourth major.

"I felt pressure all week, but today I played as good as I can. It was a great finish."

Neumann has gone 88 tour events without a victory, the longest drought of her career.

She challenged Sorenstam all the way, closing with a 69 and putting on the pressure until her birdie attempt on the final hole slid by on the left.