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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, April 7, 2008

Ochoa rolls to Kraft Nabisco crown

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Lorena Ochoa, center in dark shirt, is joined by family and friends in the traditional plunge at the lake near the 18th green.

REED SAXON | Associated Press

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RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Lorena Ochoa set the silver trophy on a table, clasped hands with her parents and sprinted to the edge of the lake surrounding the 18th green at Mission Hills, raising both arms as she plunged into the water.

Whether she is playing or celebrating, the Mexican star is unstoppable.

Ochoa buried her competition yesterday at the Kraft Nabisco Championship with back-to-back birdies at the turn to build a five-shot lead, then closed with eight pars for a 5-under 67 and another romp in a major.

Even more inspiring were the festivities that followed.

She joined hands with her parents and sister-in-law and raced into the water. Her brother, Alejandro, swing coach Rafael Alarcon and caddie Dave Brooker leaped from the bridge. Before long, two dozen friends and family members were bobbing in the water to the rhythm of a mariachi band, a celebration unlike any other at this major.

"I thought for a moment, 'Maybe I should try to do something funny, like a flip or something,' " Ochoa said. "No, no, no. Too dangerous. So I did the regular jump."

Ochoa became the first player since Annika Sorenstam in 2005 to win two straight majors, having captured her first major in the Women's British Open at St. Andrews last summer by four shots.

In four starts this year, she has won three tournaments by a combined 23 shots.

"Nothing can stop her," said Se Ri Pak, who became the youngest player to qualify for the World Golf Hall of Fame last year when she was 29, a record that certainly will be broken by the 26-year-old Ochoa.

Sorenstam and Suzann Pettersen each closed with a 68 and tied for second, although they were never close.

Ochoa, who finished at 11-under 277, never trailed and was threatened only briefly. She answered with two straight birdies to make the turn in 32, and the rout was on.

ELSEWHERE

Houston Open: Johnson Wagner's first PGA Tour victory came with the ultimate bonus prize — a trip to the Masters. Wagner held off several late challenges to win the Houston Open in Humble, Texas, and earn an invitation to Augusta National. The 28-year-old Wagner shot a 1-under 71 to finish at 16 under. Former Hawai'i resident Dean Wilson shot a 69 to finish tied for 20th at 281, good for $67,573.

Cap Cana Championship: Mark Wiebe completed a wire-to-wire victory in the inaugural Cap Cana Championship, closing with a 5-under 67 for a four-stroke victory over Vicente Fernandez in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Wiebe finished at 14-under 202 and earned $300,000.

Estoril Open: France's Gregory Bourdy won the Estoril Open for his second European tour victory, beating England's David Howell with a par on the third extra hole in Cascais, Portugal.