The Swede gained a two-shot advantage at the very first hole where she holed from eight feet for birdie and Hurst three-putted for bogey.

Sorenstam picked up another shot with a birdie at the third and moved four clear at the sixth when Hurst again took three on the green for a double-bogey six.

Another Hurst bogey at the ninth put Sorenstam, out in one under 34, five shots ahead.

And there was no comeback for the US Solheim Cup player, who was clearly the home crown favourite, although she did give them something to cheer at the last where she holed from 45-feet for her only birdie of the day.

For Sorenstam, there was the reward of US dollars 560,000 for her tenth career major,

and a third US Women’s Open to set alongside her back-to-back wins in 1995 and 1996. Since then, she has a number of near misses.

“It has been a long wait,” said the 35-year-old, who had only won once this year. “After the up and down season I have had so far, it’s a bit ironic this is the year I win the Open again.

“But I’m thrilled. This is the biggest championship in women’s golf and now I’ve won it three times.”

In terms of women’s majors, Sorenstam – who has the same number as Tiger

Woods – is now tied on 10 with Babe Zaharias, with only Louise Suggs (11), Mickey Wright (13) and Patty Berg (15) having won more.

Hurst collected US dollars 335,000 by way of consolation, and had to settle for knowing it was her best result in the championship.