Make that three wins. Ochoa "finally" won again, pulling away late for a four-stroke victory at the Navistar LPGA Classic. It's the first win for Ochoa since April, and that's why it has felt like a quiet year for the superstar. She just hadn't done much, before Sunday, in the second half of the season.
From 2006 to 2008, Ochoa won six, eight and seven tournaments, respectively. She might still be able to get to five wins in 2009. Most golfers would be happy with three, but Ochoa isn't most golfers. Cristie Kerr has won only once in each of the past three seasons, and nobody is talking about her "quiet" years. It's all about expectations, and our expectations for Ochoa - because of her obvious greatness - are high.
The Navistar LPGA Classic had a couple other good things happen, too. Michelle Wie, who started the final round tied for 13th, eight strokes behind, charged with a 66 on Sunday and wound up tied for second. It was a valiant effort, but too little, too late.
Then there was 14-year-old Alexis Thompson, going in the opposite direction on Sunday, sliding down the scoreboard to finish 27th. But in the first and second rounds, Thompson electrified the tournament - shooting 65 on Thursday, and getting to 10-under on Friday and a share of the lead. She's the phenom to watch over the next several years (see Alexis Thompson pictures).
For Ochoa, the Navistar was career win No. 27, which moves her ahead of Hall of Famers Judy Rankin and Marlene Hagge on the LPGA career wins list.
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