Ochoa defends at Sybase Classic
IN: News | LPGA | Sybase Classic (2007) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 17 May 2007
The LPGA Tour is in New Jersey this week for the Sybase Classic at the highly regarded Wykagl Country Club.
The tournament is played over the famed Wykagl Country Club. Built around 1900, the course is one of those courses that link us with the past, Lawrence Van Etten being the original designer, but Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast and more recently Arthur Hills all having a role in its development over the years. It is highlighted by rolling fairways, tight fairways and small greens so typical of traditional north-eastern courses from a bygone era.
Last year, in her first ever time at this course, Lorena Ochoa won a rain shortened version of the tournament, defeating Hee Won Han and Kyeong Bae by two shots over 54 holes after starting the final day four behind Gloria Park.
Ochoa is back and is the favourite to repeat her efforts of twelve months ago and extend her lead at the top of the world ranking. Despite an ordinary week by her high standards last week in Virginia, Ochoa is likely to be the one they have to beat on Sunday.
Karrie Webb is on the verge of a return to the form she displayed earlier in the season in Australia and Hawaii. Her 10th place finish last week was good enough for her to be a challenger to Ochoa this week.
Juli Inkster has a good record in this event having won way back in 1992 and often playing well since. The 47 year old is in good form at present with a recent runner up placing at the SemGroup Championship.
Morgan Pressel, Suzann Pettersen and Mi Hyun Kim are all recent winners in 2007 while Sherri Steinhauer has won this event on two occasions and comes off a 7th place finish last week. Steinhauer appears to be at good value for those interested in a wager on the outcome of the tournament.
Other than Webb, the Australians have Katherine Hull, Michelle Ellis, Rachel Hetherington, and Wendy Doolan in the field.
