Lorena Ochoa

Lorena Ochoa, a Mexican native, won her first important golf title in 1989, the Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego. She went on to win the title four times. After having a stunning college career, she became one of the top professional women golfers.

In 2008, Ochoa won four LPGA events. She won the HSBC Women’s Champion tournament. She defended her 2007 championship in the Safeway International by finishing four strokes under her previous record and won in 2008 with 22 under. When Lorena won the 2008 Corona Championship in Mexico, she qualified for the World Golf Hall of Fame, and will be eligible for induction in 2012. Her fourth straight win was the Ginn Championship.

With time running out, Ochoa dominates the LPGA tour by leading the ADT Official Money List with $1,974,122, ahead of World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb by $100,369. Ochoa is the leader in the Rolex Player of the Year, ahead of Karrie Webb by nine points. Annika Sorenstam is third at 17 points behind Ochoa. Ochoa is ahead of Sorenstam by less than half a point in the Vare Trophy Race.

Ochoa was strongly favored to win the 2008 British Open and retain her 2007 title. However, she was overcome by the flood of Asian golfers who dominated the tournament. Five Asian players were in the top five and Ochoa tied for a disappointing seventh. Asian players have won the last three majors. Ochoa commented, "So the rest of us just need to prepare and continue working hard with so many more good players around."