CIGANDA EXCITED TO “DEFEND” AT CLUB DE GOLF MEXICO

Carlota Ciganda enjoyed a breakout 2016 season, becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner at the KEB Hana Bank Championship, and then following that up just weeks later with a victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Ciganda has returned to Club de Golf Mexico this week and hopes to retain the signature sombrero that is presented to each winner. As the Lorena Ochoa event has shifted to a match-play format, Ciganda is not called a “defending champion,” as the Lorena Ochoa Match Play is considered a new event in LPGA record books. But that doesn’t change the fact that Ciganda is here to win, and is excited about the opportunity to compete in a match-play event.

“I am excited to be here because I love Mexico. It’s always nice to come back,” said Ciganda. “I feel very much like at home with the language and the people. I am happy to be back. I like the format - it is fun to play a match-play tournament. We haven’t had one in like 3 years. When I was an amateur I played lots of match play, so it’s a format that I really like. So, I am just going to try to play my best and see what happens.”

In a cruel twist, Ciganda’s first-round opponent is her close friend Gaby Lopez, with whom Ciganda is actually staying this week. The first-round match of good friends is unfortunate, but a reality in match-play draws.

“It’s hard to play against one of your friends because obviously one of us is going to be out tomorrow,” said Ciganda. “But at the same time that is golf. We are going to play our best and the person that makes the most birdies is the one that’s going to win. And hopefully we’ll have a great day. In the end, on the golf course I am there to play and on the outside I am myself and we are friends.”

OCHOA GRATEFUL TO HER FELLOW HALL OF FAMERS

When tournament host Lorena Ochoa turned her thoughts to 2017 and the 10th anniversary of her hosting an LPGA event in her native Mexico, she knew that the occasion called for more than a normal celebration. And when that year coincided with her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, an idea quickly sprung to her mind. Ochoa turned to her long-time golf friends and fellow Hall of Famers - Juli Inkster (Class of 2000), Se Ri Pak (Class of 2007) and Annika Sorenstam (Class of 2003) - to showcase the best of women’s golf in an unprecedented Hall of Famers Exhibition.

“I admire them, what they’ve achieved,” said Ochoa, who will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Sept. 26 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. “I respect them a lot. They are great examples for their countries, especially for kids. They really changed the game of golf in their countries. It’s all about the way they handle themselves under pressure.”

The Hall of Famers will participate in an open practice session on Friday at 1 p.m. local time, and will enjoy a photo call at Mexico City’s historic Xochimilco on Saturday morning. But all eyes will be on the four players as they take to the course on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. While the playing format is still being finalized, Ochoa knows that the hours on the golf course will certainly be highlights in her already historic career.

“I just feel blessed,” said Ochoa, who will become the first Mexican-born player to enter the World Golf Hall of Fame. “It’s an honor to be able to play with them and I’m going to enjoy it every step of the way Saturday and Sunday.”

MATCH-PLAY BRACKET HONORS FOUR HALL OF FAMERS

As yet another way of honoring the four Hall of Famers participating in this weekend’s exhibition matches, the four quadrants of the official match-play bracket are named in their honor. The four quadrants and their respective No. 1 seeds are as follows:

Lorena Ochoa bracket, No. 1 seed Lydia Ko
Annika Sorenstam bracket, No. 1 seed Ariya Jutanugarn
Juli Inkster bracket, No. 1 seed In Gee Chun
Se Ri Pak bracket, No. 1 seed Inbee Park

A printable, fan-friendly bracket is available at http://www.lpga.com/-/media/images/lpga/tournaments/lorena-ochoa-invitational/2017/bracket-images/round-of-64/2017-lorena-ochoa-match-play-final-bracket-blank_large_v3.jpg

NEW NO. 1?

With a win this week, World No. 3 Ariya Jutanugarn could potentially leapfrog No. 2 So Yeon Ryu and No. 1 Lydia Ko to take over the top spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

As of May 1, Ko has spent 80 consecutive weeks (98 total) at No. 1, trailing only Yani Tseng, who held the spot for 109 career weeks (2011-2013), and Lorena Ochoa, who holds the record with 158 career weeks at No. 1 (2007-2010).

Ryu is not in the field this week.

No. 1 Scenarios

Ariya Jutanugarn can become No. 1 if she wins AND Lydia Ko finishes tied for 17th or worse (knocked out in the first or second round)
If Jutanugarn wins, Ko needs to finish tied for ninth or better (make it to the third round) to remain No. 1
If Jutanugarn finishes second or worse, Ko will remain No. 1

QUOTABLE

“I was excited about this tournament. Just to play match play is different from every week but it’s also a lot harder. It does take some luck, it takes some luck of the draw but it’s fun, it’s different and I think that’s why you have a good field this week.”

Stacy Lewis, on competing in match play this week.

Ciganda Excited to "Defend", Ochoa Grateful to Fellow Hall of Famers and More From Mexico

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