Dominant Ochoa sets sights on further improvement

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida: Lorena Ochoa immediately set her sights on improving her game after ending a second successive LPGA season on Sunday as the dominant player in women's golf.

The Mexican world No 1 clinched her eighth title of the year and the winner's prize of $1 million with a two-shot victory at the ADT Championship, firing a four-under-par 68 at Trump International Golf Club.

"There is always room to improve," Ochoa told reporters after holding off American playing partner Natalie Gulbis with a birdie on the final hole.

"I want to get much better in my short game, especially from 110 yards and in. I hit them okay, maybe to 10 feet, but I need to improve on my short distances.

"When I putt well, I win tournaments. I want to make sure I putt well more often."

Ochoa, who clinched LPGA player of the year honors for the second season in a row with a four-shot victory at last month's Samsung World Championship, also wants to improve her swing.

"I think I improved a lot from last year to this year but I still go over my head a little bit," the 26-year-old said.

"My hands come a little from behind, so I want to make sure I shorten my swing, come from in front of the ball and have more room because that really helps me. I'm more consistent doing that."

Record earnings

Ochoa, who dethroned Swede Annika Sorenstam as world No 1 in April, ended her 2007 campaign with record earnings of $4,364,994 after becoming the first player to break the $3-million barrier.

Her eight victories included a maiden major title at the Women's British Open in August and she racked up 13 other top-10 finishes in 25 starts.

"Even before this week, Lorena had an absolutely incredible year," Gulbis said after securing second place with a closing 70. "It was pretty unbelievable to cross $3 million in a season, and to win seven times.

"Then to come in this week and to put another million up here, I think that record is going to stand for quite a long time. She's had an absolutely phenomenal year."

Ochoa, who is looking forward to a three-month break from competitive golf, plans to donate most of her winnings from this week to her foundation and disaster relief efforts in her native Mexico.

Heavy flooding this month has left Tabasco state, including the capital Villahermosa, under several feet of water in one of the largest natural disasters in recent Mexican history.

"It's a big issue and, as an athlete, I always want to give back and this is just the place to give it," she said. "The president has been very supportive and I want to help."

Agencies

(China Daily 11/20/2007 page23)