WOMEN’S world number one golfer Lorena Ochoa has announced she will retire from the sport after three years at the top of the world rankings.

The 28-year-old said in a statement on her official website she wants to concentrate on her family and charity work.

Ochoa married Andres Conesa, chief executive of Aeromexico airlines, last December and became a stepmother of three children.
“Lorena Ochoa confirms her retirement from the LPGA, as news reports in some media have said today,” the website statement said.
“Reasons and more details on the matter will be given by Lorena personally in a press conference on Friday in Mexico City. Lorena will share this news of a new stage in her life with her sponsors, family members and friends.”
Ochoa, who won 27 events over the past six seasons, had been scheduled to play next week at an LPGA event near Mexico City but her status for that tournament is now uncertain.
Ochoa, who has missed the cut only four times in 172 LPGA events, finished fourth earlier this month in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, this year’s first women’s golf major. She failed to make the top-10 in three other 2010 starts.
Last season Ochoa claimed her fourth consecutive LPGA Player of the Year award. She won three times in 2009 after collecting seven titles in 2008, eight in 2007 and six in 2006.
Ochoa won her first major title in 2007 at the Women’s British Open and added another at the 2008 Kraft Nabisco.

TAIWAN’S Yani Tseng has blitzed the opposition with a  seven under final round 66 to take the 2010 Handa Australian Open at Melbourne’s Commonwealth Golf Club on Sunday.

Overnight leader Karrie Webb looked to have yet another Aussie tournament firmly in her grasp early on but seemingly ran out of gas to finish one over and outright third.

Tseng, the World No 6, finished three strokes ahead of defending champion Laura Davies, who had appeared to be Webb’s major threat throughout much of the event.

The 21 year old Taiwanese golfer played a near perfect bogey-free final round on the difficult sand belt course to end the event on a nine under total of 282.

“I haven’t had this feeling for a while so I am very happy,” she said of her first Australian victory.

Webb, who was bitterly disappointed with her final round, had admitted a few times she felt tired during the week of what was her fourth tournament in a row. These days she usually sticks to no more than three.

Webb had looked good early on, breaking away to a three shot lead after five holes, causing Tseng to remark to her caddie ‘Let’s try to get second place’.

“We just played our game and tried to be second and after 12 holes I thought: ‘Oh I am only two shots behind,’ maybe I need to play a little bit aggressive and smart.”

And she did, holing putts from everywhere and in her last six holes shooting four birdies.

Four time winner of the even Webb wasn’t offering any excuses.

“I didn’t feel as weary today on the course as I did yesterday although I know that it has been a long four weeks, not that I am going to use that as an excuse,” she said.

“I was feeling really good out there and then played a few scrappy holes on sicx and seven and I really lost some momentum there and just didn’t really hit it as good after that.

“I didn’t trust myself as much as I would have liked and then the putts weren’t going in and it was a tough struggle on the back nine.”

Australian Katherine Hull and Italy’s Giulia Sergas were next best on 4-under 288, a shot ahead of Australian Lindsey Wright.

DEFENDING champion Laura Davies is looking ominous after carding a first round five under 68 to lead the Handa Women’s Australian Open at Melbourne’s Commonwealth Golf Course.

Davies holed a 30 foot birdie putt on her final hole to take a two shot lead over the field.

In second place were Coonabarabran’s Rebecca Flood, Victorian amateur Alison Whittaker, Italy’s Giulia Sergas, Korea’s Soo-Jin Yang, England’s Felicity Johnson and Finland’s Jenni Kuosa.

A shot further back in a tie for 8th is World No 1 amateur, American Alexis Thompson, Australian No.3 Lindsey Wright and Austrian Stefanie Michl.

ANZ Ladies Masters winner Karrie Webb had a tough day, posting a three over par 40 on her outward nine but steadied the ship on the inward nine to finish even.

Her expected rival Katherine Hull was tied for 11th after a four birdie round that finished one under.

Davies was in a confident mood and after starting with a bogey plotted her way around the sandbelt course, often opting for a long iron off the tee.

“I took the decision to hit a couple of three irons that left me long shots in, but because I was swinging so well, I was not scared,” the 46 year old Englishwoman said.

“I had six birdies and a couple of up and downs to save good pars, which you have to do on a course like this. Luckily, I putted very well today.”

“I’ve come in here in a confident mood, thinking I am one of the players with a chance to win if I play well and putt well.”

Marquee players Davies, Webb, Hull, World No 6 Yani Tseng and World No 7, Anna Nordqvist will all tee off in tomorrow’s (Friday’s) afternoon field for the second round.

Television Coverage

ONE HD has second round television coverage from 2.30 to 6.30 pm on Friday and the final rounds will be on both TEN and ONE on the weekend.

Don’t ask us why they don’t have first round coverage (as they didn’t for the Ladies Masters).

As is usually the case with the Australian television system, it will be some (perfectly?) reasonable excuse totally incomprehensible to the average Joe.

It can’t be that ONE had an urgent need to show repeats of the Paintball and BMX instead – whatever it is those shows entail.

Live Leaderboard

TWO weeks of top class women’s golf is off to a fine start at the ANZ  Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast with defending champion Katherine Hull just one stroke behind the leader at the Royal Pines Resort.

Leading the top class international field is 23 year old rookie American Amanda Blumenherst, who fired an opening round 6 under 66.

In bright and breezy conditions there was little sign of the heavy rain that caused the cancellation of the Pro-Am earlier in the week.

Hull was happy with her performance, particularly her back nine where she birdied her 10th, 11th, 12th and 18th holes.

“It was pretty good out there. It was soggy walking off greens and onto tees but overall it was good,” Hull said.

World No 11 and six-time Masters winner Karrie Webb was one of a number of players a shot further back on 4 under 68. This group includes world no. 7 and last year’s LPGA rookie of the year, Anna Nordqvist and the Royal Pines course record holder, Kristie Smith.

The ANZ Ladies Masters will be followed next week by the 2010 Handa Women’s Australian Open, to be played Melbourne’s Commonwealth Golf Club, from March 11-14.

TEN @ ONE HD Television Coverage

Coverage of the Ladies Masters Second Round will be shown on ONE HD from 5.15 pm to 7.30 pm EDST Friday and the final rounds on TEN and ONE from 1pm – 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Live Leaderboard

THE Australian Women’s Open Golf Championship has received a big boost with news of a new two year naming rights sponsorship deal.

Dr Haruhisa Handa, the golf loving Japanese businessman who also sponsors the Australian Senior Open Golf Championship, has added the Women’s Open to the growing list of worldwide tournaments he sponsors.

The HANDA Women’s Australian Open will take place at the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne from 11-14 March 2010.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt welcomed Dr Handa and said it would build tremendous excitement for what was already shaping to be a world-class championship.

“This is wonderful news for our championship,” Pitt said.

“Dr Handa has been involved in Australian golf for many years and we’re delighted that our national women’s championship will receive Dr Handa’s enthusiastic support over the coming two years.”

“The HANDA Women’s Australian Open continues to grow.  Early indications are that we will have perhaps the best field ever assembled for this championship. We are equally delighted that Commonwealth has agreed to host a major championship for the first time since 1967,” Pitt said.

Dr Handa’s support of golf was acknowledged further last week when he was made an official Patron of Golf Australia.

An accomplished composer, calligrapher, author, motivational speaker and opera singer, Dr Handa is the Honorary Chairman of the US LPGA Legends Tour.

He is also an advisor to the European Senior Tour and as well as currently sponsoring the Australian Senior Open and Australia Cup, recently announced his intention to sponsor four new events on the European Seniors Tour.

Dr Handa said he was pleased to be able continue his commitment to golf at all levels.

“It is my great honour to ensure the continuation of this significant event on the Australian golfing calendar and to continue my support of women’s golf in Australia,” Dr Handa said.

“I am already a strong supporter of women’s golf in the United States, through my involvement with the LPGA Legends Tour. The addition of the Women’s Australian Open to my sponsorship portfolio highlights my continued commitment to supporting golf at all levels. This includes my ongoing support of International Blind Golf and junior golf.”

Dr Handa has become the most significant personal (non-corporate) contributor to golf in Australia.

Golf Australia also confirmed the prize money for the Women’s Australian Open has increased to AU$600,000.

“We are absolutely committed to taking this championship to greater heights each year and increasing the prize money is an important element of that,” Pitt said.

IN perfect conditions at Royal Fremantle Golf Club, Sylvia Donohoe has claimed her sixth Australian Women’s Senior Amateur Championship.

Donohoe defeated Lynne Townsend on the 18th hole in the final day matchplay format, confirming her domination of Australian senior amateur women’s golf

Watched by many of their fellow competitors, the match was all square through 9 holes.

Donohoe, from Narooma on NSW’s south coast, was 2 up after the 13th and led 1up playing the 18th hole.

Townsend found trouble on the 18th and a two putt was enough for Donohoe to secure victory.

With her faithful caddie Pat on the bag, it was revenge for Donohoe after Townsend defeated her in the semi-finals of the NSW Women’s Senior Amateur earlier in the year.

In the Flight Matches, Sue Jones from Queensland defeated Kaye Hanson from WA in the New Age Division.

The local pressure was too much for Hanson, with Jones recording a comfortable 6&5 victory.

The Veterans Flight was the tightest of the contests, going to the 20th with Marion Clothier from Victoria claiming victory over Lu Proud from Tasmania.

In the Super Senior Flight, Margaret Leary from Tasmania defeated Diane Greenhill from Victoria 3&2. It was Margaret’s third Age Title, after she won the Veterans Flight in 2004 and 2006.

(Original Material courtesy of Golf Australia)

The current and four time Australian Women’s Senior Amateur Golf Champion, Sylvia Donohoe will be defending her title in Tasmania later this month.

The Australian Women’s Senior Amateur Championship and the Women’s Mid Amateur Golf Championships will both be held at the Ulverstone Golf Club in Ulverstone.

Golf Australia says strong fields have assembled for both events, with the extended entry period closing this Friday October 3.

Joining Donohoe (NSW) on the trek to Tasmania will be last year’s runner-up Deirdre Brander.

Other contenders include Sue Wooster, Helen Stewart, Ros Fisher and Lynne Townsend.

The Australian Women’s Mid Amateur Championship is in its second year and the field is also looking strong, with 2007 Champion Julie Swanson from NSW looking to defend her title.

Julie’s likely rivals include Gemma Dooley and Kim Burke. 

Entry Forms and other details can be found the Golf Australia website here.

Australian Women ‘s Senior Amateur

When: 27-31 October 2008
Where: Ulverstone Golf Club, Ulverstone, Tasmania
Format: 36 holes stroke play followed by match play
Handicap Limit: 22.4
Age: 55 years and over
Club website: Ulverstone Golf Club
Location: Lobster Creek Road, ULVERSTONE TAS 7315
Entry Fee: $85.00
Entry Close: Entries extended to 3 October 2008

Australian Women’s Mid Amateur Championship

What: 2008 Australian Women’s Mid Amateur Championship
When: 27-29 October 2008
Where: Ulverstone Golf Club, Ulverstone, Tasmania
Format: 54 holes stroke play
Handicap Limit: 18.4
Age: Between 30 and 54 years
Club website: Ulverstone Golf Club
Location: Lobster Creek Road, ULVERSTONE TAS 7315
Entry Fee: $85.00
Entry Close: Entries extended to 3 October 2008

Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam was showered with the sponsors product (beer) after winning the Michelob Ultra Championship in Virginia by seven shots.
Australian Katherine Hull, who started the day tied for 21st, produced an amazing Albatross when she hit a 3-wood 229 yards on the par 5 seventh. Her career best 64 lifted her to sixth place.
Karrie Webb was 38th, Sarah Kemp and Lindsey Wright 57th