Locust Hill Country Club’s greens were an easy read for Mexican Lorena Ochoa today. With five consecutive birdies on the back nine, Ochoa charged past rookie Paula Creamer to finally win her first title of 2005 by four strokes with a 7-under 65.
Creamer started the day with a two-stroke lead over Ochoa but a rimmed one-foot putt for an opening bogey placed her easily within Ochoa’s grasp.
Lorena has been close to a victory three times this season and today walks away with the trophy and a $225,000 share of the $1.5 million purse. As with most great rounds Ochoa’s putting helped her to win the final round of the Wegmans. “I made that birdie on twelve and that was the beginning of all my birdies,” a happy Ochoa said. “That gave me good momentum and you know it is all about having confidence out there.”
There is a lesson to be learned here kids. Never quit when you’re down because some of the best things are yet to come. The best example of this lesson comes from two guys whom have a couple of things in common. These two men are Olin Browne and Rocco Mediate. First and most importantly, they share the lead at the 105th U.S. Open Tournament. Also, they are over 40 years of age (Browne 46, Mediate 42), both have aches and pains, and both have kept going even when they faced failure.
With the U.S. Open as the main focus of the week less attention is being paid to this week’s Wegman’s Rochester LPGA event. That’s too bad because the stellar round that Becky Morgan played today was worthy of praise and adulation. 
Some professional golfers compete throughout their entire careers without ever winning a tournament. That wasn’t the case for thirty-eight-year old Kim Saiki who was crowned champion of the 2004 Wegman’s Rochester LPGA Tournament for the first time in her professional career. 
In the battle between youth and experience Annika Sorenstam prevailed over 15-year old amateur Michelle Wie. This was far from a blow-out as Sorenstam only won by three strokes with a 1-over 73 over the teenager. Starting with a five-stroke advantage, it appeared to be Sorenstam’s tournament but Wie made it difficult on the LPGA’s number one golfer.
Just being on the same golf course as Annika Sorenstam is enough to intimidate most LPGA golfers. Calendar-girl Natalie Gulbis didn’t feel that pressure today even though she played alongside of Sorenstam showing confidence as she birdied her five closing holes to grab a share of the lead at 5-under par 67.
For once in my life, I’ve remembered Father’s Day (Sunday, June 19) far enough in advance that I can get my dad something nice. Normally, my dad get’s a phone call on that day, nothing more because I never actually remember it being Father’s Day. The same thing happens to my mom, so it’s not like I’m picking favorites or anything. Since my dad is a huge golfer, I decided that I’d find something golf related for him. Surely, he’ll enjoy that, he’s the one that taught me the game.