Birdie blitz gets Alex off the mark

– Marina Alex closed the front nine with five consecutive birdies on her way to firing a seven-under par 65 on Sunday and collecting her first LPGA title at the Portland Classic.

The 28-year-old American made the best final-round comeback on tour this year, rallying from six strokes behind Britain’s Georgia Hall over the last 18 holes for the victory at Oregon’s Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

Alex, who fired a 62 on the Thursday, finished on 19-under 269 with Hall second on 273. –

Los Angeles