Ochoa caps amazing season with $1 million win
Lorena Ochoa shot a four-under
68 on Sunday to win the ADT Championship by two strokes.
West Palm Beach, FLÂ - Lorena Ochoa finished off her sensational 2007 season with a $1 million payday.
The Mexican star shot a four-under 68 on Sunday to win the ADT Championship by two strokes over playing partner Natalie Gulbis.
The final-round score determined the champion after two cuts reduced the field down to eight on Sunday and the scores were wiped out after both the second and third rounds.
The shootout format gave everyone a chance in the final round, but it was Ochoa who capped off an amazing campaign.
The win was Ochoa’s eighth of 2007, a year where she wrapped up the Player of the Year title last month. She also captured her first major championship at the Women’s British Open.
Earlier this season, Ochoa became the first player in LPGA Tour history to crack $3 million in single-season earnings. Her $1 million first-place check Sunday pushed her just over $4.3 million for the year.
“It’s all about breaking records,” acknowledged Ochoa, who earned her 17th LPGA Tour title. “It was not only about the money list but also winning eight tournaments this season. It’s been amazing from the start to the end.”
Gulbis managed a two-under 70 for second place, followed by Paula Creamer, who had an even-par 72. Cristie Kerr, the U.S. Women’s Open champion, carded a two-over 74 and took fourth place.
Mi Hyun Kim (78), Sarah Lee (80), Christina Kim (81) and Karrie Webb (84) rounded out the field of eight.
Ochoa held a four-shot lead with two holes to play, but stumbled badly at the par-three 17th. She made double-bogey and when Gulbis recorded a birdie, Ochoa only owned a one-shot cushion with one to play.
Gulbis was not able to make birdie at the closing hole at Trump International, but Ochoa did after a great approach to earn the two-shot win.
“I was mad on the 18th tee box, and I hit a little bit to the right but I hit it really hard,” said Ochoa, who finished second here last year. “I was comfortable.”
Ochoa broke into red figures for the first time with a birdie at the second. She rolled in a 20-footer for birdie at three, then converted a 15-footer for par at No. 4.
At the long, par-three fifth, Ochoa hit her tee ball to seven feet. She sank the birdie putt and collected her fourth birdie of the round from 12 feet out at the sixth.
Ochoa got to five-under par with a birdie at the par-five ninth. She was firmly in control of the tournament with a five-shot lead, until trouble set in on the back side.
Gulbis closed the gap with a birdie at 13, then benefited from Ochoa’s gaffe at 17. Ochoa knocked her tee ball over the green, then chipped her second to 20 feet. She missed the par save, missed her five-footer for bogey and when Gulbis made birdie, suddenly the margin was only one.
“It looked like Lorena had it pretty well sewed up on 14, especially after I had three-putted after an eagle putt,” said Gulbis. “I thought that was my only opportunity. You know there’s momentum shifts.”
Ochoa squashed Gulbis’ hope at the closing hole despite missing the fairway off the tee. Ochoa hit her second to three feet and when Gulbis missed her birdie effort, Ochoa tapped in for the two-shot victory.
“It was just a horrible lie,” said Ochoa, referring to the 18th. “I had 130 yards to the front of the green, and the ball, you could only see half of the ball. I grabbed a six-iron, just tried to hit it really steep and high, and it came out perfect.
“That birdie felt really good.”
So must $4 million.
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