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Sorenstam-Ochoa Rivalry Fun While It Lasts

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By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 5, 2008

TAMPA - Catch it while you can.

The LPGA finally has something the PGA has coveted for years - a legitimate rivalry.

But just as quickly as the rivalry has developed between Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, it will be done when Sorenstam retires at the end of the season.

The two tee off today at the McDonald's LPGA Championship in Maryland. Sorenstam, who has returned to form after struggling with a neck injury most of last year, is seeking her first major victory in two years, while Ochoa is seeking her third consecutive major title.

It will be world No. 1 Ochoa, who has won six tournaments this year, and No. 2 Sorenstam, who has won three.

"I kind of missed Annika last year," said Suzann Pettersen, last year's LPGA Championship winner. "You're so used to having her around and seeing her name on the board. She has made all of the younger players or all the other players on the tour work even harder to try to catch her.

"Now Lorena is the one we're trying to chase down."

That includes Sorenstam. Suddenly, the hunted has become one of the hunters.

Last season, for the first time in 13 years, Sorenstam, the face of the LPGA since she exploded onto the scene as a rookie in 1994, did not win a tournament. The winner of 10 majors, including three consecutive LPGA Championships, played in only 13 events because of her back injury.

In her absence, Ochoa assumed the reins of the tour and doesn't appear to be letting up anytime soon. And it is her dominance that has Sorenstam motivated.

"The roles are a little reversed," Sorenstam said. "I'm chasing her, and I'm not giving up by any means. She's playing fantastic golf. But inside of me, I believe there's still a way that I can beat her."

That's one of the many things Sorenstam and Ochoa have in common - a competitive nature that fuels their belief they can win any tournament, defeat any player.

Ochoa, who took over the world's No. 1 ranking from Sorenstam, is now the one looking over her shoulder. She has won six of the nine tournaments she has played in this year, including a record-tying four straight. Sorenstam has won two of the last four tournaments she has played in.

This rivalry, born of the golfers' dominance, is great for fans. The large galleries that Sorenstam has commanded are still there, but Ochoa's gallery continues to grow. Interest in the sport is arguably at an all-time high, with both women vying for overall bragging rights.

"For sure, we are in a new era on the tour," Ochoa said. "So I'm just happy to be a part of that. I think we are moving forward and are still going to achieve a lot more, so it's a great time for us to be playing at this moment.

"I'm just trying to enjoy my moment. And I would like to enjoy it for a long time. So even if it's going to be an up-and-down ride, hopefully I can stay there."

Sorenstam is going to make that tough. In her last victory, the Michelob Ultra Open, Ochoa tied for 12th, while Sorenstam, who announced last month that she will retire at the end of the year, won by seven strokes.

The rivalry is there, but with a heavy dose of mutual respect mixed in. Respect from rivals - one who paved the way for many and the other who followed that path nearly footstep for footstep.

"She's a great asset to the tour," Sorenstam said of Ochoa. "It's just fun to see. That's another reason why I feel like my timing of stepping away is good, is that the tour is in great hands."

Ochoa, who had to pull out of Sorenstam's Ginn Tribute tournament last week because of the death of her uncle, has a photo of the two in the family room of her home in Mexico. Early in her career, she finished as the low amateur at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and posed with Sorenstam on the 18th hole.

"We respect each other a lot," Ochoa said, "but of course, it's competition."

At least until the end of the season, when Sorenstam retires. So enjoy it while it lasts.

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860 or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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