MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As a Southern boy, Brian Gay knew exactly what winning at Hilton Head in April meant: A trip to the 2010 Masters.

Having to win the final PGA Tour event before the U.S. Open to earn a trip to Bethpage Black? It's just not something he really thought about until clinching that berth with a wire-to-wire victory at the St. Jude Classic on Sunday.

"I played well and won, I knew I would go," Gay said.

So the man who had originally planned for a week off is changing his itinerary — and quickly.

"Right now I don't know if we're going home first or what we're going to do, whether we spend tomorrow traveling, going home and repacking," Gay said. "Get to work on Tuesday I guess."

Gay heads to New York with his third PGA title, having won twice in his last five events. He has a hot putter, needing only 100 putts and scoring in the 60s all four rounds with 66s in each of the final three. He beat David Toms and Bryce Molder by five strokes, removing all suspense with three of his six birdies over the first six holes.

"It was a pretty good golf tournament except for one guy stealing the show," said Toms, the tournament winner in 2003 and 2004.

Gay had an 18-under 262 total and the third-largest margin of victory in the event's 52-year history. Toms finished with a 65, and Molder had a 70. John Senden (64), Paul Goydos (68) and Robert Allenby (69) tied for fourth at 12 under.

"I didn't even get close to catching him," said Molder, who had his best finish on tour.

Phil Mickelson, in his first event since announcing wife Amy has breast cancer, and John Daly, returning from a six-month PGA Tour suspension, tied for 59th at 1 over. Mickelson closed with a 75, and Daly shot a 70.

LPGA Championship

HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. — Watching the ease in which Anna Nordqvist won the LPGA Championship, it seems likely the 22-year-old rookie from Sweden won't have too long a wait before cashing another first-place check.

Unflappable demeanor? Check. Consistent irons? Oh, yes. Steady putter? Absolutely.

Playing in only her fifth professional tournament, the steely nerved Swede shot a 4-under 68 Sunday to win the LPGA Championship by four strokes over Lindsey Wright.

Nordqvist finished at 15-under 273 in the tournament's final stand at Bulle Rock Golf Course. After letting a five-shot lead dwindle to one, Nordqvist sank a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 14 and essentially clinched her first career victory with a 35-foot putt for birdie on No. 15.

Wright, who shot a 70, kept waiting for Nordqvist to panic in her first major tournament as a professional.

It never happened.