Perfectionist aiming to stay world No 1

Mexico's Lorena Ochoa poses with the winner's trophy after the final round of the Women's British Open golf tournament at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland on August 5. Reuters

The Mexican, who turns 26 on Thursday, goes into this week's ADT Championship at the Trump International course in South Florida as the clear No 1 in the sport, earning comparisons with Tiger Woods.

Ochoa's status was further enhanced after Wednesday's announcement she had been granted her own invitational LPGA Tour event in November 2008.

Her rise, from a country not known for golfing excellence, has been remarkable.

This year she became the first LPGA player to earn $3 million in a season, compiling seven wins and 13 other top-10 finishes and claiming her first major victory at the British Open in August.

"When I was 12 or 13 I told my coach I wanted to be No 1 in the world," Ochoa told reporters. "At that time, playing where I did and how I did, that was a bit crazy.

"It has taken a bit of time but I have got there."

Victory on Sunday would take the Guadalajara-born player past $4 million in 2007 earnings.

Confident and articulate, Ochoa said she had no idea as a youngster whether she had what it took to reach the top. She was sure though that there was nothing else she wanted but to try.

"I didn't know my level, I didn't pay much attention to the tour but I did know I wanted to play golf for the rest of my life. I was never afraid of dreaming," she said.

Now that she has overtaken Sweden's Annika Sorenstam as world No 1, the Mexican has no intention of letting her grip slip.

"I like to be on top and I will do everything to stay on top," she said, describing herself as a perfectionist.

"This year my driving has improved a little in distance but also I am a lot straighter. The rest has been more mental improvement. I am much better under pressure.

"There is room for improvement with my chipping and bunker play. My focus will be on putting, though. I still three-putt a few times in every tournament and I will spend more time on the putting green during the off-season," added Ochoa.

She said her rise had prompted a hugely positive impact on golf in Mexico.

"We are getting more and more players coming through. Before it was just me and a couple of others, now there are 10-15 girls playing at college level," said Ochoa.

A few of the emerging talents could be given a showcase in Ochoa's invitational event at the Guadalajara course where she began playing as a child.

"It is a dream come true. It is always wonderful for me to be able to play in Mexico but going back to Guadalajara, to where I started, that is amazing," she said.

Ochoa compared her performances this season to those of men's world No 1 Woods. "This year we have been pretty similar. He won seven times and a major and so have I," she said with a grin.

Agencies

(China Daily 11/16/2007 page23)