Ward Triumphs at 2005 Takefuji Classic

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.”

Wendy also credits her husband, Nate Hair with her victory. “My husband gave me a little tip Friday night. He said this golf course is running hard and fast, you don’t have to hit your driver everywhere. And I actually took that advice. Sometimes it’s hard to admit, but he was right. I hit a 3-wood on probably like four of the tee boxes on the backside.”

When asked about how her confidence would carry over to next week’s tournament in Mexico, Wendy replied, “I just started a stretch of five events. I’m really excited about going down to Mexico next week. I don’t know what to expect of the course down there, but the next three events following that set up well for me. So I’m very excited about the next stretch coming up.”

Lorena Ochoa (-14) finished alone in second place leaping from 96th early in the competition. Ochoa has been struggling since the 2005 Mastercard Tournament when she vowed that she would try to “shorten the distance Annika has over me. I want to give her more of a fight.” In a playoff defeat at the Safeway International after leading from round one, Ochoa choked from the pressure heading up the stretch with a four stroke lead. Annika took a breather this week…

On the brighter side, Ochoa set the course record of 63 on Friday and with 65 today, Lorena commented, “It’s very special for me that yesterday I broke the record and I really like the course. I am going to be happy to come back next year. ” Scoring 7 birdies throughout her round, including a 9-iron at the 410-yard par 4 which she stuck within three feet of the hole, Ochoa seems prepared to face her fans next week at Tres Marias Residential Golf Club in Morelia, Mexico.

With nine birdies today, five of which came as consecutive birdies on holes 5-9, Shi Hyun Ahn(63) tied the course record set this week by Lorena Ochoa on Friday. Ahn and 2005 Rookie Paula Creamer tied for third at 13-under par.

Amateur In-Bee Park, the hometown Las Vegas high schooler, finished her round alone in 5th place at 12-under par. People are comparing her success today with another stellar amateur, Michelle Wie.

Karrie Webb, originally tied for the lead in first round action, began the day three off the lead but a double bogey at seven made her lose confidence and it was downhill from there. Karrie fell into a tie for 16th place with a 73.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr was never in contention, shooting a 72 to tie for 55th at 1-under par.

Pos  Player             Today    Tot    R1    R2   R3
1    Wendy Ward          -5      -16    65    68   67
2    Lorena Ochoa        -7      -14    74    63   65
T3   Shi Hyun Ahn        -9      -13    70    68   63
T3   Paula Creamer       -7      -13    70    68   65
5    *In-Bee Park        -5      -12    66    71   67
6    Juli Inkster        -5      -10    72    67   67
T7   Jeong Jang          -7       -9    72    70   65
T7   Nicole Perrot       -2       -9    66    71   70
T7   Moira Dunn          -1       -9    69    67   71
T10  Young Kim           -5       -8    70    71   67
T10  Heather Bowie       -4       -8    68    72   68
T10  Hee-Won Han         -4       -8    71    69   68
T10  Mikaela Parmlid     -3       -8    67    72   69
T10  Stacy Prammanasudh  -3       -8    69    70   69
T10  Wendy Doolan        -2       -8    66    72   70

Photo Credit: © AP.