Ochoa trying to hang on to No. 1 ranking

September 24, 2009

Lorena Ochoa is running out of tournaments in a startlingly average season for a player who won 21 times in the previous three years.

Since winning the Corona Championship in her Mexico homeland in late April for her second victory of the year, the top-ranked Ochoa is winless in 10 starts.

South Koreas Jiyai Shin leads the player of the year - and rookie - races and is within striking distance of catching Ochoa in the rankings. Norways Suzann Pettersen and a handful of other players are also close heading into the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge, set to start on Thursday at Blackhawk Country Club.

Its not easy so thats why I need to work harder, Ochoa said on Wednesday. Thats why I need to start playing better and do whatever it takes to keep that No. 1 position.

For nearly two years that wasnt much of an issue for the 27-year-old star who replaced Annika Sorenstam at the top of the rankings in April 2007.

But 2009 has been a much different year for Ochoa. She has spent more time in Mexico while playing in fewer tournaments and is in the midst of planning her December wedding to longtime boyfriend Andres Conesa, the CEO of AeroMexico.

On the course, the results have been disappointing.

Ochoa has finished better than 10th only twice in her last 10 tournaments, including a tie for fourth last week in the Samsung World Championship at Torrey Pines. She bottomed out with a 49th-place showing at the Safeway Classic in August.

In majors, Ochoa also has struggled. She was 26th at the U.S. Womens Open and 28th at the Womens British Open.

My life is changing a little bit and thats just the way it is, said Ochoa, who two weeks ago in Mexico City bristled slightly at criticisms of her game. Sometimes its hard to keep that same level and the same rhythm forever. Its been an up and down year for me for different reasons, especially outside the golf course.

I think it was a good start, what happened in the last couple weeks, but Im trying to get into the winners circle.

Ochoa has never won the CVS/pharmacy tournament, formerly known as the Longs Drugs Challenge. She was fourth in 2008 and lost a playoff to Pettersen in 2007.

Compared to previous years I think this course is going to change a little bit probably with lower scores, said Ochoa, citing the softer greens at Blackhawk. The par 5s are not as easy in terms of reaching because they are playing longer but I just like it. Ive been close a few times so hopefully this is my year.

The 21-year-old Shin has been comfortable all year. She has a tour-high three wins and five other top-10 finishes.

She didnt surprise me because we knew how good she was, Ochoa said. Of course its not only her. There are a few players that are trying to catch me. Its OK. Thats the way it is when youre at the top.

Shin, who remembers following Ochoa as a fan at a tournament in South Korea five years ago, also leads the money list and is trying to become the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win both player of the year and rookie of the year honors.

Shin, the 2008 British Open champion, was sick this week and wasnt able to play a full round on the Blackhawk Course until Wednesdays pro-am. Shes an obvious favorite, along with Pettersen and last years winner, In-Kyung Kim, but Shin isnt counting Ochoa out.

Shes still a great player, Shin said. Every week she has a chance for the win. This years been a little up and down for her but shes a good player.

Other past tournament winners playing in this years event include Karrie Webb (2006), Christina Kim (2004), Helen Alfredsson (2003), Se Ri Pak (2001) and two-time winner Juli Inkster (1999, 2000). The field also includes 13-year-old Casie Cathrea, a high school student who won a qualifier on Monday.