Lorena Ochoa

Lorena Ochoa is a native of Guadalajara, Mexico. At the age of 11 she took up the game of golf and went on to become the most decorated junior golf in her country’s history. During her junior career she won five consecutive Junior World Golf Championships, 22 state events in Guadalajara and 44 national events in Mexico. In 2000 she earned a golf scholarship at the University of Arizona and dominated during her first two years, finishing as the runner-up at the NCAA National Championships in 2001 and 2002 and winning the NCAA Player of the Year Award both years. After winning the Pac-10 Women’s Golf Championship 2001 and earning All-American honors she turned pro and quickly became one of the top names on the pro tour. In 2002 she was named the Futures Tour Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year after winning three events and topping the money list, which earned her a spot on the LPGA Tour. In 2003 she was named the LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year and would go on to be named the LPGA Tour Player of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 after winning both the 2007 Women’s British Open and 2008 ANA Inspiration. During that span she also finished second at the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open and third at the 2008 LPGA Championship. In 2010 she retired as the No. 1 ranked player in the world after holding that distinction since 2007. During her decorated career she won a total of 30 pro events, with 27 of those coming on the LPGA Tour.