Ochoa Caps off Record Year
Ochoa, richest woman in golf.
I guess it is fitting that as the best womens’ golfer in the world fades into the background, a new leader emerges. Annika Sorenstam ended her worst year since her rookie year in 1994 by missing the cut at the ADT Championship. Now Lorena Ochoa caps off a record year in earnings and wins with the victory at the same ADT Championship. The torch has been officially handed off, we have a new leading lady in the world of golf.
Things didn’t always come so easily to Lorena. After all, it was just four months ago when Lorena was still facing her demons after another second place finish blowing a lead to Nicole Castrale at the Ginn Classic. And she saw her younger competitors capture the major championships, first there was Paula Creamer last year, then Morgan Pressel at the Nabisco, Suzann Pettersen at the LPGA Championship, Christie Kerr at the US Open (OK, so Christie isn’t younger, but still, you get my point). But winning the British Open, the final major championship of the year and her first, seems to have eased all the tensions.
I see Lorena playing now, and she doesn’t feel the pressure like she once did. I liken it to when Phil Mickelson won the Masters to claim his first major. There was always so much pressure on Phil and every loss came with the inevitable questions about how he lost another championship. Lorena had the same pressures. But I see her much more relaxed now and I think her game has responded positively.
So it seems fitting that she would hit a 6-iron from the rough on her approach shot on 18 that would roll inches for the cup and seal the win this week over Natalie Gulbis. Also fitting that the biggest prize in women’s golf history goes to Lorena to cap off her amazing season filled with ups and downs.
Congrats to Lorena, and I’m sure there will be plenty more to come…
Lorena Ochoa, ADT Championship
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