World Golf Hall of Fame Honors Ochoa, Wie Looks Back on 2009 and More From Mexico

In October, The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum announced its 2017 Induction Class which included LPGA legend Lorena Ochoa along with Henry Longhurst, Davis Love III, Meg Mallon and Ian Woosnam. These five new members will be enshrined at the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City the week of the Presidents Cup.

On Tuesday, the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum hosted a special press conference and toast to celebrate Ochoa’s achievements and upcoming induction.

“It is an honor to be the first Mexican, and especially after a career as short as mine was,” said Ochoa. “It has been amazing, the same as playing a tournament and winning around the world, but now I am able to share this in Mexico with my friends and family, I think that now what is special is to be in a place where some of the most important players have been. Thank you, I am very honored, I think this is a very special moment in my career.”

“On September 26, 2017, Lorena Ochoa will enter into the Hall of fame with Meg Mallon, Davis Love III, Ian Woosnam and the late Henry Longhurst,” said Jack Peter, President of the World Golf Hall of Fame. “We are here to celebrate Lorena Ochoa, one of your true National Treasures. She has had a remarkable career. She will be the first Mexican born player to be enshrined. It’s a tremendous achievement and we could not be more proud to have her in next year’s class.”

Ochoa qualified for the LPGA by finishing first on the 2002 Futures Tour money list.  In 2003, she had eight top-10 finishes, giving her a decisive victory in the race for the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year.

Ochoa finished with 27 victories on the LPGA, including two major championships.  She was ranked World Number One for 158 consecutive weeks (2007-2010). In a three-year stretch (2006-2008), she won 21 tournaments, including the two majors and in 2008.  Ochoa will be the first Mexican-born golfer to enter into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

On April 23, 2010, Ochoa announced her retirement from active play on the LPGA Tour on the third anniversary of her ascent to Rolex Rankings No. 1.  As of May 2, 2010, Ochoa competed in 173 LPGA events as a member, recording 63 top-three finishes (36%) and 109 top 10 finishes (63%). Her last missed cut was at the 2005 Longs Drugs Challenge (Oct. 9), a streak of 102 events to finish her active career.

In 2009, Michelle Wie won the event at 13 under par and by two shots over fellow American Paula Creamer and became a Rolex First-Time Winner. She has won three LPGA tournaments since this first LPGA victory.

“This is a super special tournament to me, it was my first professional win and I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was amazing and the support that Lorena has given me over the years, and just be able to see her again even if it is once a year is just amazing.”

Wie is coming off a few good weeks in October with a tie for 10th at the Blue Bay LPGA and a tie for 27th at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

“I just want to keep building confidence, I felt like I played good over in Asia, and a lot of positive things, so I just want to keep riding it and hopefully it’ll get better,” said Wie.

Brooke Henderson is the highest ranked player in the field as seventh in the Rolex World Rankings.  She is third in Race to CME Globe. 

Henderson played five consecutive tournaments this fall so she decided to take off the tournament in Japan to be fresh for this week.

“It’s been a really good year, I think fifteen were top ten finishes.  Two wins on tour, then won my first major and being able to defend in Portland was really important to me, so with those two wins I felt like I gained a lot of confidence and I’m hoping to close this year really strong this week and next week as well.”

SPONSOR INVITE MARIA FASSI VALUES RELATIONSHIP WITH LORENA OCHOA

Sponsor invite Maria Fassi is a freshman at the University of Arkansas.  She has played with tournament host Lorena Ochoa a couple of times and has had a close relationship with her since she was little.  Now that she is older they are even closer. 

“Every time I have a question about something or if I just want to talk to her she is always there, she is really nice so I am just really grateful for having her as part of my life,” said Fassi.  “It’s such an honor, especially because this is one of the tournaments that I have always wanted to play, so getting that sponsor exception meant a lot to me. I am just really, excited and thrilled for this week.”