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.

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With two picks in the second round of tomorrow night’s NBA draft, perhaps the Timberwolves could use one of the choices on a player Gopher coach Tubby Smith compares to hall of famer Joe Dumars, the former Detroit guard and now the team’s general manager.  On Monday, Smith praised Joe Crawford, a 6-5 shooting guard he coached for three seasons at Kentucky.

Sports Illustrated in its June 23 issue included Crawford among four players a scout said are “good second round value” picks.  That prediction receives no argument from Smith who expects the former Detroit prep star to be drafted on Thursday night and earn a place on an NBA roster.

“He’s a guy that can get his own shot,” Smith said.  “He’s a guy that can put the ball on the floor.  Create.  He’s an excellent defender, and he’s a very physically gifted strong athlete.

“I love the way he plays under control.  I used to call him…you’re another Joe Dumars. So that’s who I compare him to.”

At Kentucky, Crawford averaged 17.9 points per game last season as a senior, a career best.  He averaged 14 points as a junior.

The Wolves have the No. 31 and 34 picks in the second round.  It won’t be surprising to see basketball boss Kevin McHale take a center-power forward with one of the picks.  In need of size, the Wolves might be lucky enough to use one of the second round picks on Robin Lopez, the twin brother of Brook Lopez, the sophomore 7-footers from Stanford.  Robin is certain to be drafted, although he’s not considered as valuable as Brook.

Here’s a guess that it’s at least 50-50 the Wolves will trade their No. 3 pick in the first round.  Although they’re more likely to trade down in the draft, perhaps they could even move up by working a deal involving draft choices and players with Miami, the team picking No. 2.

Staying at No. 3 probably means taking USC mega-talent O.J. Mayo, a player who might be used at both point and shooting guard.  Don’t be sure, though, that Mayo will be available. The Wolves might have to decide between taking Kansas State forward Michael Beasley, UCLA forward Kevn Love, or trading the No. 3 pick.

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The Timberwolves will host a free NBA Draft Party at Lifetime Fitness in Target Center tomorrow night beginning at 6 p.m. Fans can watch ESPN’s live draft coverage on television screens within Lifetime Fitness, and refreshments will be available.  Timberwolves broadcasters Tom Hanneman and Jim Petersen will host the party. Wolves basketball personnel will be making appearances throughout the night.

Gopher basketball public address announcer and emcee funny man Dick Jonckowski was on KFAN Monday with Paul Allen and Jeff Dubay.  Jonckowski recalled the first joke he told Gopher coach Tubby Smith last season.  It was about a guy who said: “My wife ran off with my best friend…and I miss him.”

Smith said three of his incoming recruits are enrolled in summer classes and working on strength training.  Already here are incoming freshmen Ralph Sampson III, Colton Iverson, and junior college transfer Devron Bostock who will have two years of eligibility.  Incoming freshman Devoe Joseph is trying to make the Canadian Olympic team and junior college transfer Paul Carter, who is working on academics, are not in Minneapolis yet.  Smith said he “loves” the confident attitude of Joseph who tells the coach he will be a starting guard.  Carter will have three years of eligibility. 

Jamal Abu-Shamala, who will be a senior, is a member of the Jordanian Olympic team this summer.  Shamala, Jonathan Williams and Travis Busch will be the Gophers’ only seniors next season.

Dave Mona, one of the local organizers of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, said tickets remain for all days of the event.  Tickets are available at Cub Foods and Interlachen Country Club.

Mona said daily capacity is 22,500 at Interlachen.  He also said a U.S. Open total attendance record is expected.

Gregg Wong, the retired Pioneer Press sports writer, will be the Twins’ official scorer for 50 home games this season.  Sports author Stew Thornley will work the remaining games.

Twins general manager Bill Smith said on KSTP radio Sunday he expects injured infielders Matt Tolbert and Adam Everett to report around July 7 to the organization’s Fort Myers minor league team.  After rehabilitation, Smith hopes the two can rejoin the Twins in late July.

The Twins Web site is encouraging fans to vote Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to the All-Star game.  Mauer is now the leading vote recipient among American League catchers while Morneau is second to Kevin Youkilis of Boston for first basemen.

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