It’s No. 1 ranked women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa who is most likely to win the 2008 U.S. Open at Interlachen Country Club. That’s the opinion of Gregg Wong, the retired Pioneer Press golf writer who has watched the local and national golf scene for more than 30 years.
“Ochoa and then maybe a group of 12 to 15 others,” he told Sports Headliners. In that group he included Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, Suzann Pettersen and several Korean and Taiwanese players.
Wong said Ochoa “has to be” the favorite to win the championship this weekend because she’s been the best player in women’s golf recently. “She’s the one they fear,” he said. “She’s now the longest hitter, although not the most accurate.”
Wong said that once Ochoa won the Women’s British Open last year, it was a confidence builder that she could “win the big ones.” More comfortable with herself, the 36-year-old native of Mexico seems to now have an “inner peace,” according to Wong.
Part of her improvement is putting. Wong believes putting is 90 percent confidence. “Putting is what wins for you and loses for you,” he said. “When Tiger (Woods) wins, it’s when he makes putts.”
Ochoa is looking for her first Open title. Cristie Kerr is the defending champion and no player has repeated since 2000-2001 when Webb won consecutive titles.
Wong said the Open is the most difficult championship to win because the USGA sets up a difficult course, fast and hard greens, and challenging roughs. Plus, a talented field of golfers.