Ochoa captures Canadian Open

2007-08-20 09:44

Edmonton - Mexico's Lorena Ochoa fired a two-under-par 69 on Sunday to finish three strokes ahead of Paula Creamer in the Canadian Open.

The world's top-ranked player, Ochoa had four birdies and two bogeys on Sunday at the Royal Mayfair Country Club course.

"It was just a great day today. It wasn't easy," Ochoa said. "I didn't feel very comfortable in the morning. I wasn't in a rhythm on the front nine, and Paula made a couple birdies to narrow the difference.

"And then we made the turn, and then I started feeling strong."

Fresh off winning her first major title, the British Open, Ochoa finished at 16-under 268.

Creamer had five birdies and two bogeys for a 68 to take second at 13-under 271.

"You know, I played good, so I keep saying it's a learning experience out there for me," Creamer said. "I think I did an okay job of hanging in there and trying to put some pressure on her."

Ochoa picked up $337 500 for her fifth victory of the season.

She raised her season winnings total to $2.63m, tops on the LPGA Tour.

Birdies at the third and sixth got Ochoa off to a fast start and she pretty much cruised home from there.

She bogeyed and Creamer birdied the 17th hole, but that made little difference in the outcome save for the margin of the victory.

Shi Hyun Ahn shot a 66 to finish third at 10-under. Brittany Lang (67) and Laura Diaz (72) followed at nine-under.

Alena Sharp was the top Canadian finisher, grabbing a share of 10th at nine-under after a 69.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr, who won the US Women's Open earlier this season for her first major, stumbled to a 75 to tie for 50th at one-over.

- AFP