Lorena Ochoa messed up the 17th hole at Pine Needles just as badly as Phil Mickelson blew the 18th at Winged Foot. There’s no denying it any longer, not after another blown chance in a U.S. Women’s Open.

The No. 1 ranked player in women’s golf is as fragile mentally as Mickelson ever was. It’s fair to wonder if Ochoa will ever even approach Mickelson’s success rate in majors. And she doesn’t have anything close to Tiger Woods blocking her path like Mickelson’s had in his way.

Don’t look now, but Ochoa is rapidly speeding toward Sergio Garcia territory. She’s 0-for-23 in majors now and her sweet swing turns into a weekend hacker’s when the pressure rackets up.

With the trophy within grabbing range, Ochoa’s drive on her 71st hole of the tournament hit a tree (sound familiar?) and bounced into a bunker. Ochoa then made the dubious decision to use a fairway wood in the bunker, trying to play Wonder Woman at a time when she could barely manage Betty Boop.

In the TV booth, Johnny Miller first guessed the club selection (which no doubt sent TravelGolf.com’s Tim McDonald into an orgasmic fit, but that’s another story). With Miller predicting as much, Ochoa topped the sand shot and sent it less than 40 yards.

Goodbye major. Hello Herculean doubts.

It’s easy to root for Lorena Ochoa. It’s hard to expect her to ever do anything on the big stage. Not when her swing speeds up like Mel Gibson on the Pacific Coast Highway on one of his philosophizing nights whenever major hardware is on the line.

Permalink 3 comments