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LPGA Resume of Lorena Ochoa Still Lacking, Barely
Monday November 20, 2006 | 15:16:10 208 words, 5511 views
Clearly, Lorena Ochoa is destined for greatness. Having just turned 25 this week, she had a magnificent 2006 season, earning the most money and victories (6) on the LPGA Tour. She was also its most consistent performer; notching twelve other top 5’s and she did it in only 25 events. From her record-setting college career until now, Ochoa has been on an inexorable march to the top of the women’s game. But for all her consistency and sparkling play, there is one more mountain to climb: a Major victory. The only possible flaw in her make-up is a tendency to occasionally go for the difficult shot when a prudent shot would serve as well. (Case in point - her tee shot on the par 3 17th at the ADT.) While Ochoa is known as the biggest birdie-maker on Tour, par tends to be a little more valuable in Majors than in regular tour events. These are lessons that Phil Mickelson has learned later in his career and Greg Norman never quite figured out. Most evidence suggests Ochoa will get that maiden Major victory sooner rather than later. And once she does, it could be Katie-bar-the-door. I, for one, hope so. The LPGA would be hard pressed to find a better ambassador than she. Comments:
Just looking at LPGA players, Lorena
is first leading Annika by 0.58 in overall scoring average. Lorena is also first among LPGA players in scoring average over 16 round of Majors--by 0.31 over Annika. She hasn't won a Major yet, but she seems to play as well in Majors as anything else.
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
Jim, I know you're fond of the numbers. We could also say that Ochoa won 29% of the regular Tour events she entered and 0% of Majors. I did not say she didn't play well. Quite the opposite, I said she was the most consistent golfer in the LPGA. But playing well and winning are often different things, and by the tiniest of margins. One bad decision under intense pressure in the toughest of course conditions can easily cost a championship.
Ochoa is obviously very good and attractive. The only negative I can see is a tendency to get nervous and blow it. This is quite common in humans except for rare people like Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. People like Mickelson, Tom Kite, or Davis Love III have blown it a lot more often than not so she is in good company. Usually over time these normal people get better at handling pressure and so has Lorena.
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
No question, Ochoa has had to deal with choking. Most notable was the duffed tee ball on the 72nd hole of the 2005 US Open. As I recall, Johnny Miller said it was one of the worst shots he'd ever seen a professional hit. And he was right. But it seems as though Ochoa has grown through these collapses and is now poised to make the final leap into greatness. We'll be watching.
O.S. - Tom Watson was probably the best golfer to carry the choker label early in his career. He also got past it quite well.
O.S. - Tom Watson was probably the best golfer to carry the choker label early in his career. He also got past it quite well.
Don't forget about Payne Stewart, he went from serious choker to clutch. Kite is the worse choker I've ever seen, the only reason he won the U.S. Open was because he had no idea he was in contention.
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
Payne Stewart tried everything possible to get over the gagging. At one point he had an accupuncture needle stuck in his ear lobe while playing tournament rounds - allegedly to help focus. I personally never thought of Kite as a choker, but rather just very steady and not quite a good enough putter to win much.
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