The ladies of the LPGA don their sombreros and fly south of the border for this week’s championship tournament. For the second time this year and only the fourth time ever, the LPGA has chosen a destination in Mexico. Tres Marias Residential Golf Club in Morelia, Mexico, a Jack Nicklaus design, is the site of this $1 million inaugural event and it’s sure to be exciting. Native-born Lorena Ochoa, who carded a 63 mid-round at the Takefuji last week and finished solo second, will be among the competitors along with the event winner, Wendy Ward.
Knowing this course well and having a flurry of family, friends and media attention surrounding Ochoa can do one of two things to the only LPGA player from Mexico: it can raise Lorena’s confidence level or it could put a lot of pressure on her, causing her to choke as she did at both the Mastercard and the Safeway competitions earlier in the season. If last week was any indication of her skill level, she should be able to pull off a win this week.
“Corona and the government of Michoacan are two top-level sponsors, the venue is magnificent and we expect the support of the local community to be overwhelming, so we are very pleased,” said Ty Votaw, LPGA commissioner. “Lorena Ochoa has developed into one of the LPGA’s brightest stars, and I am sure it will be a delight for her home country to watch their national hero compete with the best players in women’s golf. We are thrilled to be able to showcase the best female golfers in the world to a new audience, not once, but twice in Mexico in 2005.”
Don’t count out Takefuji winner Wendy Ward, who battled it out against Ochoa last week. She isn’t flying all the way down to Mexico to visit the ruins. Expect Wendy to push her skills to the limit and try to win back-to-back tournaments.
The two third-place finalists at last week’s event will also compete. Shi Hyun Ahn tied the tournament record of 63 with Ochoa. Rookie Paula Creamer is advancing in her bid for Rolex Rookie of the Year and is also looking more interesting as a pick for the Solheim Cup team by captain Nancy Lopez, but the spotlight will most certainly be on Ochoa.
Juli Inkster, Rosie Jones, and Annika Sorenstam are all taking the week off, but a Sorenstam will be in the field: Annika’s sister, Charlotta, is expected to compete.
In an update of State Farm Bonus Pool Points, Wendy Ward is now tied with Annika Sorenstam at 100 points. Lorena Ochoa is tied for third place with Rosie Jones (70 points). Shi Hyun Ahn and Paula Creamer are in a tie for fifth with 64 points. Although the event occurs April 21-24, 2005, there will be no local television coverage, so stay tuned to The Sand Trap for updates!