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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, August 20, 2007

Ochoa captures second consecutive tournament

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 •  The Honolulu Advertiser's Golf page

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

"It's like a soccer trophy. I like it," Lorena Ochoa said after capturing the Canadian Women's Open for her fifth tournament win of 2007. The top-ranked player closed with a 2-under 69 for a 268 total to post a three-shot victory.

IAN JACKSON | Associated Press

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EDMONTON, Alberta — Lorena Ochoa won the Canadian Women's Open for her second straight victory and fifth of the season, closing with a 2-under 69 yesterday for a three-stroke victory over Paula Creamer.

The top-ranked Mexican star, coming off her first major victory two weeks ago in the Women's British Open at St. Andrews, had a 16-under 268 total on the Royal Mayfair course. She earned $337,500 to raise her tour-leading total to $2,636,590.

"It was just one of those weeks where everything was good from tee to green," Ochoa told the cheering crowd, some waving Mexican flags, as she stood on the 18th green and struggled to lift the outsized two-handled silver mug trophy.

"It's like a soccer trophy. I like it."

She has 14 victories in five full seasons on the tour.

"It wasn't easy," Ochoa said. "I didn't feel very comfortable in the morning. I wasn't in a rhythm on the front nine, and Paula made a couple birdies to narrow the difference. And then we made the turn, and then I started feeling strong. I made a good birdie on No. 12 to get good momentum, and I think from there things kind of changed in my way to finish with a good distance."

Creamer finished with a 68.

"I gave myself a ton of chances out there and that's all you can ask for on Sunday. I tried my hardest," Creamer said.

"It was great to be able to play on Sunday in contention. It feels good. I played good, so I keep saying it's a learning experience out there for me. Two unfortunate bogeys, little putts, but other than that, I think I did an OK job of hanging in there and trying to put some pressure on her."

Shi Hyun Ahn (66) was third at 10 under, and Brittany Lang (67) and Laura Diaz (72) followed at 9 under.

U.S. Women's Open champion Cristie Kerr, the winner last year at London Hunt in Ontario, shot a 75 to tie for 50th at 1 over.

"You're not going to defend any golf tournament playing like this," Kerr said. "I didn't hit it good today and my putting woes continued. It would have been funny if I just chucked my putter in the lake after the round because I'm not using it anymore."

WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP

SNEDEKER CAPTURES FIRST PGA TOUR CROWN

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Rookie Brandt Snedeker won his first PGA Tour title, shooting a 9-under 63 for a two-stroke victory in the Wyndham Championship.

The 26-year-old former Vanderbilt player finished at 22-under 266 on the Forest Oaks course and earned $900,000.

Tim Petrovic, tied with Snedeker with two holes to play, shot a 67 to tie for second with Jeff Overton (70) and Billy Mayfair (67).

Kane'ohe's Dean Wilson shot a 7-under-par 65 to finish tied for 13th. Wilson finished at 15-under 273, and earned $85,714.

THE TRADITION

MCNULTY WINS FIRST CHAMPIONS MAJOR

SUNRIVER, Ore. — Mark McNulty won The Tradition for his first Champions Tour major, shooting a 4-under 68 for a five-stroke victory over David Edwards.

McNulty double-bogeyed the 18th hole at Crosswater Golf Club to finish at 16-under 272. He earned $390,000 for his sixth career victory on the 50-and-over tour.

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