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The 19^th Hole

August 07, 2007

Finding a Home

Lorena Ochoa opened the Ricoh Women’s British Open at St. Andrew’s with a -6 round of 67 to take the first round lead. Nevermind for a moment that par was 73 at the Home of Golf and consider that, from the beginning, the best player in women’s golf owned the first Women’s Open at the place where it all began. Ochoa took advantage of a friendly tee time earlier on Thursday and took it to the Old Course.

Doubters and neutral observers alike were not willing to concede to Ochoa that she would take her first major championship this weekend. I was among those people. As the rounds progressed, though, scoring became more treacherous and St. Andrew’s held its own against the best female players in the world. Cynics would say that the conditions were ripe for Ochoa to fold up and allow someone else to take the stage. Past results would have lent credence to that sentiment as Lorena has let opportunities fall by the wayside several times in her short career.

This time, though, was different. Ochoa managed the lead like a seasoned professional; like the best player in the world. Back to back round of even par left her in a position to start the final round that was almost foolproof. Ochoa had forged a six shot lead as she ran all over the links to watch her drives, approaches, and recoveries. She made lots of nailbiting putts for pars.

Also, for as much as Ochoa owned St. Andrew’s and this championship, she was also aided by a field that could not seem to make up ground on her. Linda Wessberg and Jee Young Lee were the only players to make it interesting at any point on Sunday. When Ochoa needed to, though, she responded to their charges.

Unfortunately for the competition, they could not capitalize when it appeared she was in trouble. By the time the final pairing had made it to fifteen, Wessberg was simply trying to make it home while not getting in Ochoa’s way.

As Ochoa approached the par 5 Road Hole, the only person who could have stopped the world number one from her first major was herself. She bewilderingly took an aggressive approach line to the green at seventeen after driving in the rough. Her ball landed in a bunker on the left hand side that forced her to play out sideways. It appeared as though Ochoa might make things interesting. Then she ended any speculation about the fate of the trophy with an imaginative chip shot to the front left of the Road Hole green. A spectacular six meant that all of the trouble on the course was behind her. A simple trip up the home hole sealed her victory.

There could not have been a more fitting place for Lorena Ochoa to notch her first major championship triumph. After all, St. Andrew’s has a penchant for producing champions that are at the absolute top of the game. The last two Open Championships there produced Tiger Woods as champion golfer. Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and other number one ranked players have claimed the Open when held at the Home of Golf. It only seems appropriate that the top ranked female player in the world would emerge as the winner in the maiden voyage at St. Andrew’s for the Women’s British Open.

The win is not only fitting for Ochoa, but it is symbolic for the sport. In a new venture for women’s golf, the latest player to rise to the pinnacle of the game has taken the crown. By virtue of her victory, Ochoa can silence all of the doubters (including me) and officially proclaim that this is now her era on the LPGA Tour. Although she had won twelve times before this weekend, Ochoa can now say that she has achieved every kind of triumph possible in the game. With all of that weight off of her shoulders now, she can focus on achieving her place in history by winning more major championships and maintaining her grip on the top ranking in the world.

In other words, the torch has officially been passed. More remarkably, it was done at a venue that was previously foreign to the LPGA Tour and women’s major championship golf. In this backdrop, a familiar and approachable face entered a foreign territory. Characteristic of her demeanor, though, Ochoa did it with grace, a smile, and galloping toward what is next.

Ryan Ballengee is host of The 19th Hole Golf Show, found at The Golf Newsnet.com.  Having graduated from the University of Maryland in 2004 and 2006, Ballengee brings the perspective of the younger golf fan to the microphone and his columns.  Over the nearly five years he has been broadcasting and writing, Ballengee has developed a reputation for a unique interviewing style that asks both the difficult and fun questions. You can also get The 19th Hole on the go through podcasting by clicking here The Golf Newsnet Contact Ryan via e-mail at the19thholeshow@hotmail.com.