Firing a 1-under 71, Carin Koch proclaimed victory at the second tournament held in Mexico this year. This is the second LPGA Tour win for Carin Koch, the 34-year-old “Mom from Sweden”, with her first victory coming at the 2001 Corning Classic. Although the day started with a showdown between Koch and veteran Wendy Ward, it was first and second round leader Koch who took the lead from Ward on the par-3 third hole dropping a birdie from 10 feet. Although Koch bogeyed the fourth, she regained her composure and birdied six and seven to grab the lead, charge forward and not look back.
Continue reading “Koch Captures Win at Corona Morelia Tournament”
Carin Koch started the second round just two strokes off the lead from Natalie Gulbis. By the end of the first hole, they were tied for the lead. Koch executed a perfect sand wedge from 97 yards for an eagle on the par-4, 376-yard hole. “It was going straight in the hole and it just bounced once and went in” said the 34-year-old Swede. Although Carin birdied the 5th, she missed a short par putt on the following hole. On number 8, Koch used her sand wedge once again to place a birdie putt within 3 feet of the hole. Even though she birdied again on 16, Koch gave it back on the 18th, missing a 4-four foot par putt. 
Turning in a bogey-free round, Natalie Gulbis soared into first place with a 6-under par 66, leading by two strokes over Carin Koch and Audra Burks. Only 17 out of a field of 127 LPGA pros played their round under par today, making Gulbis’ first round victory even more exciting. With only 4 rounds in the 60’s so far this season, perhaps it’s Natalie’s turn to break away from the pack and show us her game! Jack Nicklaus has designed this 6763 yard par-72 course to be lovely but dangerous… just like Natalie.
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.
Wendy Ward secured her fourth LPGA victory with a bogey-free round and a final score of 16-under par, finishing just two strokes ahead of Mexican Lorena Ochoa. Confidently aiming for the fairways and pin-hunting, Ward exclaimed, “I’m just tickled about the way I played today.” On the second hole, a 385-yard par 4, Ward took her 58-degree wedge to within three feet. On holes 6, 9, 12, and 16, Wendy played short shots to within ten feet, birdying each time. Wendy’s sport psychologist, Debbie Crews, played a role in helping Wendy’s mental game. She told Crews she was trying as hard as she could, and Crews said, “I want you to quit trying and start believing.”
With an unfortunate bogey start to an otherwise exciting round, Wendy Ward finished happily today with a 4-under 68, putting her in sole possession of the lead (-11). Playing comfortably today, Ward spread out her five birdies over the course of the round. When asked about her eight-par beginning to the round Wendy stated “You have to stay aggressive on this course. I didn’t give myself any opportunity. I was hitting crooked off the tee. I was making some really good saves but that doesn’t jump you ahead.”
The 2005 Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas started out this morning with winds howling and branches literally falling off the trees. The early tee times got a bad break today with savage winds in opening-round action. As fair skies moved in both Wendy Ward and Karrie Webb shot opening rounds of 7-under 65 to share the lead.
Paula Creamer is just like any typical teenager. She loves the color pink (and was nicknamed the “Pink Panther” by Casey Wittenberg). She’s addicted to shopping, fashion, and the latest trends. But ask Paula what her biggest accomplishment is to date and she will tell you, “Getting my LPGA Tour card.”