Ochoa Comes Into Women’s Open As The ‘Real Deal’

Lopez: I Hope She Can Keep Mexican Tradition Going

By Tom Hanson

Lorena Ochoa, practicing on Tuesday at Prairie Dunes, may be a star in rising. (Pam Murphy/USGA)

Hutchinson, Kan. -- It's hard to believe but Annika Sorenstam isn't the hottest golfer coming into the 57th U.S. Women's Open. The Swede and winner of six titles this season can't even lay claim to being the hottest former University of Arizona Wildcat.

With seven collegiate victories, and two Futures Tour wins, including last weeks' Ann Arbor Classic, Mexico's Lorena Ochoa has won more golf tournaments in 2002 than even Tiger Woods.

"My goal is to win every time I play," said Ochoa, who turned professional in May after just two seasons at the U of A.

With this kind of attitude, it's no wonder many feel that the 20 year old from Guadalajara has what it takes to challenge Sorenstam not only this week at Prairie Dunes Country Club but as the top player in women's professional golf.

"She is the real deal," said Kelli Kuehne, who played with Ochoa in March at the Nabisco Championship, where she finished eighth. "She is long and straight but what's even scarier is that she knows she is good. And what is going to make her tough is that she isn't scared of anyone."

This spring, as she finished her sophomore season in Tucson, Ochoa showed her fearlessness by setting an NCAA record with seven consecutive victories. In between, as an amateur, she played in three LPGA events -- making the cut in all three and recording two top-10 finishes. The combination of having nothing left to prove in the amateur ranks and knowing that she could compete at the next level was the reason that she decided to trade her text books for yardage books.

"It was the next natural step," said Ochoa, who set an NCAA scoring record with a 70.13 average, erasing the old record in which she held by an entire stroke. "Nabisco showed me I could compete on the pro level and then I knew I was ready to make the jump."

Instead of waiting until October to attend the LPGA qualifying school, Ochoa has taken her game to the Futures Tour, which is the official developmental tour of the LPGA and where the top-three finishers on the season-ending money list earn exempt status for the 2003 LPGA season. The transition from amateur to the pro ranks has been a smooth one. In five events, she has recorded two wins and two runner-ups. She has already vaulted to second place on the money list with $29,986 -- less than $3,000 behind leader Christina Kim.

Even with her place on the tour inevitable, Ochoa could achieve her goals of playing on the LPGA even faster. If she can parlay the medalist honors at the Twin Orchards Country Club U.S. Women's Open sectional site in Long Grove, Ill., into a victory this week, Ochoa would become an instant member of the tour. (She would be a non-exempt member for the rest of this season plus earn a one-year exemption starting next season).

Ochoa would become the first player since Laura Davies accomplished this feat in 1987 at the U.S. Women's Open in Plainfield, N.J. As a non-member of the tour, she defeated Ayako Okamoto and JoAnne Carner in an 18-hole playoff at Plainfield Country Club. The next day the tour players voted to change the by-laws, making Davies an official member.

"I think winning the U.S. Open is a much better test than four days at the Q-school," said Davies, who will play in her 17th consecutive championship this week. "If Lorena wins this week I will be the first to welcome her to the tour."

If Ochoa were to hoist the trophy Sunday night, Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez might beat Davies to the punch.  The winner of 48 LPGA titles is extremely proud of the fact that Ochoa and she share the same Mexican heritage.  Lopez knows Ochoa, much like herself, wasn't born with a country club membership. Ironically, as Lopez fades into the sunset, calling this her last full season, this new young star and fellow countrywoman rises on the horizon.

"I'm extremely proud of her like she is one of my own daughters," said Lopez, who is most likely competing in her last U.S. Women's Open.  "I know that she over came many odds just to get this far and I hope she can keep the Mexican tradition going on the LPGA."

Hanson, a freelance writer, is also a caddie on the LPGA Tour.