Sorenstam applauds Ochoa

2008-04-07 09:10

Rancho Mirage - Three-times winner Annika Sorenstam paid tribute to Lorena Ochoa after the Mexican strolled to a five-shot victory at the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Sunday.

Ochoa, who eclipsed Sorenstam as world number one a year ago, clinched her second successive major title with a five-under-par 67 in the final round at Mission Hills Country Club.

"Lorena is really playing solid," Swede Sorenstam told reporters after closing with a 68 to share second place in the opening women's major of the season. "She moved forward and forward in every round and was not giving any (shots) back.

"When you play well, there are extra things to do and extra things that come up. It all takes time and you really have to focus on what's important, and that's playing good golf.

"Lorena is obviously doing a great job of that," she added of the Mexican, who has won three times in four starts on the 2008 LPGA Tour.

"She's coming in here with a great record, only one major, and you would think that would put a little extra pressure on her performing here this week.

Grand slam

"She has done very well. She has come out as the leader and stayed as the leader; that takes a lot of courage, a lot of guts and it takes a good athlete. I'm just happy to see that because she's a nice person."

Asked if Ochoa was capable of winning all four majors for a calendar grand slam this year, Sorenstam replied: "I think it's possible. I've said it before and I really do think it is.

"Lorena is playing great golf, and you need obviously to peak at a certain time and you need a little luck, but I certainly do think it's possible."

Sorenstam was delighted with her own performance at Mission Hills after considering pulling out of Saturday's third round because of intense stomach pain.

"There was a time yesterday where I didn't know if I was going to finish and now I'm glad I did," the 10-times major winner said.

"It's nice to leave with a solid round in the sixties. It's been a good round overall. Of course I'm a little disappointed that I wasn't feeling too good and I feel like I have a little bit more in me to give.

"Overall, though, I'm pleased to come back and fight the way I did and I'm going to remember this round for many reasons. Try and take the positive out of this, and move on."

- Reuters