Shotgun Start: Ochoa leaving game too early — who’s next as No. 1?

April 28, 2010

Augusta Chronicle

Did the fast getaway of Lorena Ochoa catch you off guard, and who now stands to inherit the mantel as the No. 1 female player in the game?

ELLING: Some were more surprised that she stepped away now, versus stepping aside completely. Im in shock and awe at both. In a way, its refreshing that Ochoa has the courage of her convictions to bail while at the top in order to pursue an actual family life, and that her words are not just hollow and meant to spin the truth, as compare to the other world No. 1, if you will. My only concern is that she is pulling the trigger too quickly. She was married five months ago and her entire personal circumstance has changed. She became an instant mom to three semi-grown kids. It makes me wonder if she made an emotional decision, rather than a well-reasoned one. As for who will ascend to the top, its a complete crapshoot. Outside of Ochoa and veteran Karrie Webb, the remaining eight players in the world top 10 have combined for 33 career LPGA wins. A player could win two or three times in a year and ascend to No. 1. Its quite possibly going to be a revolving door.

<p that Ochoa left prematurely is no surprise at all. Shes been warning everyone as far back as her rookie season that she would not be a lifer on the tour circuit and that she had other things in life she wanted to pursue. Trying to apply our own American cultural standards to her sense of family and career is both irrational and irrelevant. Ochoa is doing whats always been in her heart, and good for her. I hope life away from golf proves as successful and satisfying as it was in the game. As for who takes the mantel, the only one with enough “it” factor to elevate the LPGA Tour with both Annika and Lorena on the shelf is Michelle Wie. The stage is cleared for her to finally step up and deliver on the promise weve expected for years. For the LPGA to rise to even a portion of its former glory, it needs a marketable superstar to fill in the void. Wie needs to be that star. Hope she can handle it.

In a relatively short span of seven years, why has the Quail Hollow tournament become so popular with fans and players? What are they doing right?

ELLING: Right out of the chute, when organizers were leaving bottles of champagne in players lockers in the weeks leading up to the tournaments first year, they have done almost nothing wrong. Having a decidedly old-school, parkland golf course, where homes dont come into play and the setup typically has the right touches, doesnt hurt, either. Last year, they cut down the rough and players were hitting recovery shots from places only a squirrel could love. Or maybe Phil Mickelson. Giving the players Mercedes-Benz cars for the week helps distinguish the tournament in terms of creature comforts, too. All that said, there are still some questions about the future looming. Title sponsor Wells Fargo is contracted through 2014 but isnt putting its name on the event because it fears the PR fallout, and some at the club would rather pursue a PGA Championship or U.S. Open. Speaking selfishly, since it sells out virtually every year, draws a stellar cast and produces creditable winners, it would be a shame to lose Quail Hollow as a regular stop. It might be the best-run regular event on tour.

MICHAUX: The formula had a clear vision to make his own tournament fit as much of the mold of the Masters as is humanly possible for a regular tour event. He made it a first-class experience for the players, their families and the fans, and it proved perfect. Word of mouth helped draw the superstars out into the former “dead zone” of the tour schedule. Like Augusta, the key is a golf course that players like to play and fans like to look at. It will be a great shame when the tournament stops its annual visit to Quail Hollow in 2014. They can try to take it somewhere else in the Charlotte area, but it will be impossible to replicate the atmosphere and attention that this leadership has created at Quail. There is pretty much no chance that it will continue at Quail after the contract runs out, and the folks at Quail have openly been eyeing an upgrade to major status with a spot in the PGA Championship rotation or a Ryder Cup berth on their wish list. It will make a good major venue, but everyone will miss its regular place on the schedule.

Tiger Woods is playing in consecutive weeks at venues where he has won a total of twice. Personally and professionally, what are you expecting to see?

ELLING: Hell need to clean up his scorecard considerably from the Masters because there wont be as many weekend birdie chances at Quail Hollow or the Players Championship as there were at Augusta, where he made 11 birdies and two eagles but didnt really challenge for the title. It will be interesting to see how he is received in Charlotte and Jacksonville, two venues that will draw huge crowds of aficionados and casual fans. Woods has gushed about his reception at the Masters, though it was mostly described as polite and perfunctory most of the time. To him, it might have sounded like a standing ovation. What happens now and how will security handle any potential catcalls or airplane banners? Its going to be a sideshow for a while, and if hes in contention, it might actually get worse.

MICHAUX: I expect well see a much more comfortable Woods on the golf course. He broke the ice at Augusta and did what he needed to do to insert himself back in public life. Now hell tighten the loose ends of his game to be more consistent and even more competitive. His chances of winning at Quail are considerably better than Sawgrass, a course that has never really suited him despite his Players victory in 2000 and his U.S. Amateur triumph many moons ago. As for what will happen outside the ropes, hes likely to get a similar reception in Charlotte that he got in Augusta. Youve got a similar caliber of fan and tournament officials are less likely to put up with any distracting nonsense than other places. As for Jacksonville, thats another story. That isnt typically the most golf-literate gallery. From my experience there, the fans go to the tournament to enjoy the sun and be seen as much as they go to see the golf. The environment around the 17th hole is always rowdy and it will be ripe for some heckling. As always, it will be an interesting place to be all week for potential carnage.