Making her debut in the event, the 45-year-old Stafford shot a closing seven-under 65 to reach 10-under and win by a shot from England's Trish Johnson (71) who suffered a horror late collapse at Sultans Run GC in Jasper, Indiana on Saturday.

Australia's seven-time major champion Webb was bidding to become the first player to win the title back-to-back and started the day in second place behind Johnson.

But her closing 69 left her outright third, a shot behind two-time champion Johnson, who seemed headed for victory before a triple bogey on the 17th followed by a bogey at 18.

"Not much more you can say really, just a horrendous finish," Johnson said.

"It was obviously very, very disappointing. Literally throwing the tournament away, but life goes on. There are worse things."

Stanford, a seven-time winner on the LPGA Tour, is off to California to play the U.S Women's Open next week at Pebble Beach.

"I'm leaving with more confidence than I had before I came here, that's for sure," Stanford said.

"I think I just figured some things out and I got my mind right this week. I have had some confidence issues lately and this week was figuring out how to get back to basics."