The changing of the guard has resumed.
The last was Laura Davies in 1994. Lorena Ochoa wants to be the next, the first top LPGA money winner other than Annika Sorenstam or Karrie Webb in 12 years.
“Things are changing,” Ochoa said after regaining the season’s money lead. “I believe in myself, and that’s my goal.”
Ochoa stormed from nowhere for a two-shot victory at the Sybase Classic at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle yesterday to add $195,000 for an LPGA-leading total of $1,114,888 this year.
Ochoa leapfrogged idle Webb ($935,202) to regain the top slot she held two weeks ago, before Webb won last week in Virginia.
“I think this is going to be a race for this year, and many years to come,” Ochoa said. “It should be fun.”
The 24-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico, has six straight top-2 finishes since March 30 – two victories, one outright second and three shares of second – making $974,063.
“What’s important is who’s at the top at the end of the season,” Ochoa said. “It’s going to show at the end who’s the best player.”
Ochoa ranked fourth on the money list last year despite only one victory, earning $1,201,786 – a notch below her No. 3 ranking in 2004 at $1,450,824 on the strength of two victories, a second and five thirds and all 27 cuts. She ranked ninth to win the Louise Suggs rookie of the year award in 2003, making 23 of 24 cuts.
She ambushed the field yesterday, tied for ninth at even par to open the final round of the tourney, rain-shortened to 54 holes.
Ochoa moved to red numbers on No. 5, then went to 3-under with consecutive birds on Nos. 11 and 12 and grabbed a share of the lead from Allison Hanna on 15 with an 18-foot bird. Hanna then four-putted 15 from an eagle chance to give Ochoa the lead for good.
Ochoa needed a 10-footer on 17 to remain in front, then hit her first two shots into the rough on the par-5 18th. She pitched from the long stuff to 3-feet and drained her birdie for a back-nine 32 to win the 17th Sybase, which may be the last at Wykagyl.
Others stumbled. Gloria Park opened with a one-stroke lead at 4-under, and fell to even with bogeys on Nos. 4 and 6, and a double on No. 7. Sorenstam was at 3-under, with 111 yards to the ninth pin when three straight pitches onto the green rolled off, and she scrambled for triple-bogey seven, ending her hopes to become the first three-time Sybase winner.