Ochoa cruises to British Open win05.08.2007 17:00 Sports FINAL LEADERBOARD:
-5 L Ochoa (Mex) -1 JY Lee (Kor), M Hjorth (Swe) Level R Rankin (US) +1 EH Ji, (Kor), SR Pak (Kor) Selected others: +2 P Creamer (US), C Matthew (Sco) +3 M McKay (Sco) +4 B Brewerton (Wal), M Reid am (Eng), A Sorenstam (Swe) +9 K Stupples (Eng) Mexico's Lorena Ochoa strolled to her coronation as Ricoh Women's British Open champion after leading from start to finish at St Andrews. The world number one clinched her maiden major title with a closing 74 for five under and a four-shot win. South Korea's Jee Young Lee and Swede Maria Hjorth were second with American Reilley Rankin third at level par. Scotland's Catriona Matthew (73) ended two over, while former world number one Annika Sorenstam (76) was four over. "It's hard to describe but it was the most special round I've ever played," said Ochoa, who has won 12 LPGA titles, including three this year. "It's unbelievable to win my first major and do it at St Andrews. "I have so many family and friends here. I wasn't too nervous. I just went out and tried to play my own game and take it hole by hole. But to win at the home of golf is fantastic." Popular American Paula Creamer also finished two over after a final-round 72 on her 21st birthday, with Scotland's Mhairi McKay (67) was three over. "I'm really proud of the way I played," said the 32-year-old McKay. "It's been terrific to have the British Open at St Andrews for a first time and today should take me a long way to retaining my full card on next year's LPGA Tour." Wales' Becky Brewerton finished four over alongside England's Melissa Reid, who claimed the Smyth Salver for the leading amateur. Ochoa, who took over from Sorenstam at the top of the women's game in May, made three birdies in the first nine holes but was never threatened. Her only minor scare was at the par-five 17th where she hit her second into a bunker and had to play out sideways en route to a bogey six. But closest rivals Lee, Hjorth and Rankin could only manage rounds of two-under 71, while Swede Linda Wessberg, six shots adrift in second overnight, dropped four strokes in the last four holes to slip back to two over. Sorenstam began the day seven shots behind in third but spoiled an already mediocre day with a double-bogey seven at the 17th after goign out-of-bounds. The event was the first women's professional tournament to be staged at St Andrews. Ochoa is the first player to win a first major title over the Old Course since Tony Lema won the men's Open Championship in 1964. Source: BBC Sportwww.alllee.com |
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