Yet there they stood, tied after 72 holes and headed for a playoff in the Longs Drugs Challenge.

Sorenstam parred the second playoff hole and claimed the victory yesterday over the unheraded Kometani of Hawaii. It was the third win of the young LPGA season for the Swedish star.

"The key is that I love to play golf again," said Sorenstam, the 1994 LPGA rookie of the year and winner of the last two U.S. Open titles. "There was a lot of pressure last year. It was almost like I was forced to play."

Pamela Kometani

After beginnning the final round with a one-stroke lead over Juli Inkster, Sorenstam held a three-stroke margin through two holes. She bogeyed the 15th hole, but maintained her lead or was tied for the lead throughout the remainder of regulation play.

Kometani, who began the day 156th on the money list and had never finished higher than a 27th-place tie in her three-year LPGA career, shot a final-round 70. She moved into a tie for the lead with Sorenstam after sinking a 5-foot birdie on the 17th hole.

Kometani, who hit past the green on both playoff holes, had earned only $629 this season and $14,149 in her career. She collected $46,546 for second place and moved up to 37th on the money list.

"It's unbelievable," said Kometani, who had not won a tournament outside of local amateur and small pro events in Hawaii, and didn't qualify for the tour for three years after her 1992 rookie season. "You always dream, but week after week you struggle. I have been on it before, then fell, so it's a really good feeling."

Both players parred the first playoff hole, but Kometani missed her par putt and watched as Sorenstam sank her 1-footer.

"I'm still a little nervous," said Sorentam, who also two second places this season through the LPGA's 10 tournaments. "When I bogeyed the 15th, I knew I had to get one back."

Julie Inkster, the 36-hole leader, and Jan Stephenson tied for third at 2-under 286.