[Golf] Ochoa’s Win Making Korean Rival Shin Nervous

Lorena Ochoa is making Korean rival Shin Ji-yai nervous after winning yesterday the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville, Alabama.

The Mexican golfer finished at 18-under 270 for a four-stroke victory over Michelle Wie and Brittany Lang, garnering her first win in six months.

Ochoa’s third trophy of the season has tied her for the top spot in victories this season with Shin. With 131 points, Ochoa trails Shin by five in the competition for LPGA Player of the Year.

In addition, Ochoa is leading the standings for the Bear Trophy, which goes to the player with the fewest number of average strokes in a season. Shin is fourth in this race.

With 1.21 million U.S. dollars in prize money this season, Ochoa trails LPGA leader Shin by just 306,000 dollars.

With just four events left in the season, Shin has changed her schedule to play in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico in mid-November. The Mexican player is also known to be planning to compete in all of the remaining four championships.

In Korea Oct. 30, Shin will face Ochoa for the first time at the Kolon Championship in Incheon. With prize money of 1.7 million U.S. dollars up for grabs, the largest among the season’s remaining four tournaments, the competition could be a major factor in deciding the LPGA’s top money winner.

Shin played a practice round of golf yesterday. Both she and Ochoa plan to take advantage of home field advantage in their respective countries in their competition for season titles.

kjs0123@donga.com