Ochoa continues amazing 2006 at Sybase Classic
IN: News | LPGA | Sybase Classic (2006) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 22 May 2006
Lorena Ochoa continued her amazing 2006 season when she came from four behind in the weather reduced Sybase Classic in New Rochelle New York, to eventually run out a two shot winner from the Korean pair of Hee Won Han and Kyeong Bae.
For Ochoa this was only her second win of the season but such has been her consistency that she has been runner up on five other occasions. Two wins and five times runner up in now ten starts in season 2006 highlights just where she is at with her game and career now. She has now moved back ahead of Karrie Webb on the EDT Money List.
Ochoa was rock solid through the first ten holes today on what was a difficult golf course and demanding conditions. She began to apply the pressure over the closing few holes with birdies at the 11th, 12th, 15th and 18th. A very good return putt for par at the 17th also played an important role in keeping her ahead of the likes of Hee Won Han and Kyeong Bae. The Mexican's birdie at the last after her second had finished in the rough short and right of the green assured her of victory.
Ochoa was also helped in her cause by the rather strange slip up by Annika Sorenstam who was threatening danger when she reached the 9th tee at three under for the tournament. Her drive was magnificent but her approach only reached halfway up the green and when it came all the way back down the hill she tried again and got the same result. She eventually took triple bogey and the task was too great from that point, especially with so many credentialed players ahead of her.
Han and Bae finished in a share of second with Han recording her fourth top five in her last four starts. For Han however it was a day that could have been after dropping four shots in four holes around the turn to effectively end her chance of victory.
Bae is in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour but won two events on the Duramed Futures Tour in 2005 which earned her the right to play on the LPGA Tour. Still only twenty years of age, she would appear to be yet another with a great LPGA Tour career ahead of her.
Only one Australian made it through the cut this week, Nadina Light, who finished in 66th place.
Photo - WireImage
