Silvia steals Lorena’s moment
ITALY’S Silvia Cavalleri denied Lorena Ochoa the chance to celebrate her new world No.1 status with a victory, capturing her own first LPGA title at the Corona Championship today (AEST).
Cavalleri shot a seven-under-par 66 to win the $US1.3 million ($1.6 million) tournament by two shots from Ochoa and Paraguay’s Julieta Granada, after the trio shared the overnight lead.
Cavalleri had seven birdies in her bogey-free round on the Tres Marias course, finishing with a 20-under total of 272.
In six starts this season, Cavalleri’s best finish was a tie for 26th at last month’s Safeway International.
She had missed two cuts and failed to break the top 50 in her three other events.
The native of Milan shot in the 60s in all four rounds, after registering just one round under 70 for the entire year.
Playing in her home country, Ochoa was hoping to cap a big week. The defending player of the year took over top spot in the world rankings last Monday with 12.84 points, 0.14 ahead of longtime world No.1 Annika Sorenstam, who is sidelined with a back injury.
She was also hoping to make her first successful title defence.
Following a blazing 64 yesterday, Ochoa also had a bogey-free round with a five-under 68 to finish at 274 - not quite enough to keep pace with Cavalleri.
Granada overcame a bogey on the 1st hole with six birdies to tie Ochoa with a 68.
She matched her best finish of 2007, runner-up to Paula Creamer in the SBS Open in Hawaii in February. She was also runner-up here last year.
Agence France-Presse