Ochoa looks to regain her winning ways

2008-09-25

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PRATTVILLE, Alabama (Ticker) - Lorena Ochoa headlines the field for the Navistar Classic which starts Thursday on the Senator Course at Capitol Hill.

Making her first start since the Safeway Classic at the end of August, Ochoa is on a winless streak that stretches over her last seven starts. Despite not coming up with a win lately, Ochoa is playing solid golf. She has finished in the top seven in each of her last four events and still leads the tour with six victories.

“I’ve been having a good year this year. It’s been challenging in the last months that I didn’t get any wins,” Ochoa said. “So it would be nice to start that roll again.

“I’ve been home for the last few weeks, spent some time with my coach and practicing for rhythm and practiced hard for good hours. There is good competition, and I’m excited to start playing tomorrow.”

Last year, Maria Hjorth claimed the inaugural trophy with a 14-under par 274. Four strokes back entering the final round, Hjorth ended up defeating Stacy Prammanasudh by one stroke.

With a victory this week, Hjorth would become just the second player this season to successfully defend a title. Ochoa has done it twice, by winning the Safeway International and the Sybase Classic

“It’s always great to be back and being able to defend the title. It’s a great feeling,” Hjorth said. “I have a lot of positive memories, of course, coming back to a course where you played really well, and got the victory in the end.

“So it’s a lot of fun, and the course is in great shape this year. Especially the greens are really, really smooth and nice. So it should be a good week. The weather is supposed to be good all week. So I’m looking forward to it.”

Also in the field this week are Cristie Kerr, Karrie Webb, Yani Tseng and Seon Hwa Lee.

First prize is $210,000.