Courtney's Comments

Shock and Awe Created: Thu July 29, 2010, 1:10 pm

Well just when I thought the LPGA Tour couldn’t provide the same shock effect that the PGA Tour has accomplished, we hear some of the most stunning news in 2010: After only eight years on the tour, the reigning No. 1 in the world — Lorena Ochoa — will announce her retirement at a press conference on Friday in Mexico City.

Ochoa has recorded 73 top-three finishes, and 90 top-10 finishes. In 2009, Ochoa won three events and her fourth consecutive Rolex Player of the Year Award as well as her fourth consecutive Vare Trophy (awarded to the player with the lowest scoring average on tour).

So why retirement now? Only Ochoa can answer that question and she plans to do so on Friday at her press conference. It is no secret that she has always said that at some point a family would take precedence over her career. And while the world watched, we must remember that Annika Sorenstam did the same thing in 2008, granted she was also 11 years older than Ochoa.

Regardless of her reasons, Ochoa will be missed. Her passion for the game, her country and her family and friends are truly what define this great champion. A loss for golf, but I have feeling her impact will have a ripple effect for years to come.

Related Articles:
Ochoa Will Be Missed
Adios, Lorena
Lorena Ochoa Set To Retire

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