Miyazato crashes party early with 63; Ochoa 3 back

April 30, 2010

Ai Miyazato has already won two of first four LPGA events this season, and the Japanese star is threatening to win another and spoil the going-away party for Lorena Ochoa.

< to take a two-stroke, first-round lead in the Tres Marias Championship over Spanish rookie Azahara Munoz.

Top-ranked Ochoa, who will retire after this tournament, and Michelle Wie carded 66s. </ and has risen but she may be the most accurate player in womens golf. She needed only 22 putts on Thursday, most in the 8- to12-foot range.

“I dont feel like Im playing so much better all of a sudden,” Miyazato said. “I feel like this is just one step at a time and building up my confidence. Last year gave me a lot of confidence. Just right now I am showcasing what I can do.”

Miyazato had a 63 two months ago in Thailand in the LPGAs opening event. That was a 9-under 63.

On Thursday, Miyazato racked up 10 birdies and didnt drop a shot.

Ochoa asked to be paired with Miyazato and American Natalie Gulbis in the first two rounds. Ochoa grew up in junior golf with Gulbis and described Miyazato “the nicest girl on the tour.”

“I have played with her so many times since I have been on the tour, but today was really special,” Miyazato said. “Natalie and Lorena were really relaxed, so they had an effect on me and I played really relaxed.”

Ochoa, who is stepping away to raise a family and work on her charity foundation, hinted that Miyazato is a candidate to eventually take over her No. 1 ranking. There are many others, too, starting with No. 2 Jiyai Shin, No. 3 Yani Tseng and No. 4 Suzann Pettersen

“Ive never seen somebody with so much control in her game,” Ochoa said. “It doesnt matter if she hits long, short, or low or high.”

The surprise near the top of the leaderboard is Munoz, an LPGA rookie who is playing only her second event. But she has experience. She won the 2009 British Womens Amateur Championship and was the NCAA individual champion in 2008 at Arizona State.

“Maybe I dont want to feel pressure,” said Munoz, who grew up in Marbella on Spains Mediterranean coast. “I know everybody back home wants me to do well, and everyone is following me but I try not to think about it because it is not going to help me.”

Like everyone, Munoz was trying to adjust to Morelias altitude of 6,500 feet, where the ball flies about 10 percent farther. And she wants to play with Ochoa over the weekend.

“I know everyone is going to be cheering for her, but I just want to play with her,” Munoz said. “I never got the chance to do it and its her last tournament.”

Wie and O No. 10. The scores were low with quiet morning winds and favorable flag placements. It will change if the wind blows through the canyons surrounding this mountainside course.

“There are a lot of birdies and eagles out there,” said Wie, who picked up her only LPGA victory last season in Guadalajara. “Its a constant grind to keep making birdies, and even if you are making birdies youre not really above anyone else.”

Ochoa, who won this event last year for the third time, tried to play the round like any other.

“I woke up in the morning and told myself: Were here, this is the last tournament, lets enjoy the moment,” Ochoa said.

“For sure I tried not to put too much pressure on myself because otherwise Id be crying early in the day. Once I hit the golf course I tried to focus on my golf round and play a good 18 holes and then probably the emotions will com hitting a 6-iron approach to 20 feet and holing the putt. Wie hit an 8-iron to 5 feet on the same hole.

Ochoa smiled when she by winning it.

“No, I put her with me because she is my friend and its better to be with somebody who is playing good, believe me.”