Miyazato wins as Ochoa bids adieu to LPGA Tour
Source: Agencies |
May 4, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AI Miyazato of Japan won her third tournament of the LPGA season, shooting a six-under 67 to win the Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico, by one stroke on Sunday in the final tournament for top-ranked Lorena Ochoa.
Miyazato was 19-under 273 to finish a shot ahead of Stacy Lewis (66) of the United States and two in front of American Michelle Wie (68), but the win was overshadowed by Ochoa's last round before stepping into retirement to raise a family and focus on her charity foundation.
Ochoa, the tournament winner three of the last four years, shot a 71 to finish sixth at 12-under.
During the trophy ceremony on the 18th green, Miyazato broke down crying as she thanked Ochoa. Ochoa, a few feet away, also rubbed tears from her eyes in bright sunlight on the mountainside course. Ochoa chose Miyazato as her playing partner for the first two rounds.
"I want to say thanks to Lorena," Miyazato said. "I really appreciate what she did for the LPGA and what she did for her country here in Mexico.
"She is one of my best friends," Miyazato added, beginning to cry. "I'm going to miss her."
Miyazato, 24, swept the season-opening events in Thailand and Singapore after winning the Evian Masters last year in France for her first LPGA Tour title.
Ochoa has held the No. 1 ranking since April 2007. LPGA projections show she will lose it to Shin Jiyai of South Korea when the latest rankings are released. Shin won in Japan on Sunday. Ochoa is likely to drop to No. 2 with Miyazato moving to No. 3.
Michelle Ellis, president of the LPGA players' association, was one of several people who saluted Ochoa on the 18th green. Ochoa won 27 tournaments, including two majors, and won the Player of the Year title four straight years.
Miyazato was 19-under 273 to finish a shot ahead of Stacy Lewis (66) of the United States and two in front of American Michelle Wie (68), but the win was overshadowed by Ochoa's last round before stepping into retirement to raise a family and focus on her charity foundation.
Ochoa, the tournament winner three of the last four years, shot a 71 to finish sixth at 12-under.
During the trophy ceremony on the 18th green, Miyazato broke down crying as she thanked Ochoa. Ochoa, a few feet away, also rubbed tears from her eyes in bright sunlight on the mountainside course. Ochoa chose Miyazato as her playing partner for the first two rounds.
"I want to say thanks to Lorena," Miyazato said. "I really appreciate what she did for the LPGA and what she did for her country here in Mexico.
"She is one of my best friends," Miyazato added, beginning to cry. "I'm going to miss her."
Miyazato, 24, swept the season-opening events in Thailand and Singapore after winning the Evian Masters last year in France for her first LPGA Tour title.
Ochoa has held the No. 1 ranking since April 2007. LPGA projections show she will lose it to Shin Jiyai of South Korea when the latest rankings are released. Shin won in Japan on Sunday. Ochoa is likely to drop to No. 2 with Miyazato moving to No. 3.
Michelle Ellis, president of the LPGA players' association, was one of several people who saluted Ochoa on the 18th green. Ochoa won 27 tournaments, including two majors, and won the Player of the Year title four straight years.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
