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HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. -- The shot resembled a pop-up in baseball. If the 18th tee box at Cherry Hills Country Club had been a batter's box, an umpire would have signaled for the infield fly rule.
Lorena Ochoa was indeed out, gone from contention with one loose swing of a 3-wood on the 72nd hole of last year's U.S. Women's Open outside Denver. The clubhead took a divot and sent the ball into a nearby lake, leading to a quadruple-bogey 8 and a tie for sixth place that might haunt lesser players for seasons to come.
"I can tell you," Ochoa said Wednesday. "That's not going to happen again."
Ochoa arrives at today's McDonald's LPGA Championship knocking hardest at the door to a first major title among the LPGA's next generation of stars. Only 24, she has tied for eighth or better in six of the last nine majors, including a playoff loss to Karrie Webb in the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April.
Ready to win
She has won two titles this year, five in her career, and isn't waiting for anyone to mention that she's 0-for-13 in major tournaments.
"This is my fourth year on tour. I'm ready to win a major," Ochoa said. "I had a chance before, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but it takes a lot of experience, and I just know from the mistakes I've made, I learned so much."
Ochoa of Guadalajara, Mexico, reflects the accelerated-expectations attitude of the younger breed, who want results to match their reputations.
Paula Creamer, 19, in her second year, has played five majors as a pro, and she's already been asked several times when she's going to win one.
"That means that people believe that I'm in contention and that I can win on the biggest scene in golf, the majors," said Creamer, who will play this week despite a sprained ligament in her right wrist. "I feel that's quite a compliment."
Among other contenders in search of an early career-validating victory: Natalie Gulbis (0-for-16) and Christina Kim (0-for-12). Even at 16, Michelle Wie makes her 10th start in a major without a win. Cristie Kerr, considered a veteran at 28, wants to end a 0-for-34 streak.
"I don't think it's fair or unfair. But these young players are coming out with great ability to stand up in their first tournament and contend," said Webb, who has seven major titles. "There's a lot of girls out here that their first win could be a major. They're capable of doing that."
On a hot streak
Ochoa ranks among the top five in 10 statistical categories, including first in scoring average (69.24) and greens in regulation (75.4%). During a six-tournament stretch in April-May, she won twice and was second four times.
She also leads the money list ($1.121 million) and is a threat to end Annika Sorenstam's streak of five consecutive money titles. Another strong showing here might give Ochoa a crack at breaking Sorenstam's single-season money record of $2,863,904 set in 2002.
"I don't look that much to the statistics," Ochoa said. "I'm a simple player."
She's one of the most-liked players on tour, too.
At each tournament site, Ochoa often takes time to visit maintenance sheds and clubhouse kitchens to thank people for their support. There, she finds many Mexican workers who tell her how proud they are of how she represents their country.
"There (are) a lot of good people that work really hard to live here and to maintain their family," Ochoa said. "We appreciate that. I really am very proud to be a Mexican and see them working so hard for us."
Ochoa has worked on tightening her takeaway and gaining more control at the top of her backswing, a weakness she concedes flares up under pressure, like at the U.S. Women's Open.
"I just woke up the next day and was ready to go for the next tournament," she said. "Some players are really hard on themselves. I'm the type of player where it's just easier to forget."
*View an in-progress LPGA Championship leaderboard and an interactive Bulle Rock Golf Club course map at golf.usatoday.com
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