Ochoa bags another major title
Mexican phenom takes five-stroke victory at Nabisco
Lorena Ochoa of Mexico, left, is joined by family and friends in the traditional plunge into the lake after her victory Sunday in the Kraft Nabisco tournament in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Rancho Mirage, Calif. ? Lorena Ochoa, the Mexican star who once struggled in the majors, now is making them look easy.
Ochoa continued her dominance of women’s golf Sunday with a five-shot victory in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, giving her the last two majors by a combined nine shots. She was the only player without a bogey in the final round on a tough Mission Hills course.
She won by five shots over Suzann Pettersen and Annika Sorenstam, among many major champions being left behind in the massive wake of Ochoa, who has won three out of four tournaments this year by a combined 23 shots.
Ochoa, who finished at 11-under 277, never trailed under the blazing desert sun and was threatened only briefly.
This was the 20th anniversary of when Amy Alcott began the Nabisco tradition of the winner jumping into the lake surrounding the 18th green, but there rarely has been such a festive moment.
A mariachi band serenaded Ochoa with “Canta y no llores,” which translates to “Sing and don’t cry.” Ochoa grabbed hands with her parents and sister-in-law, sprinted toward the water and jumped with both arms in the air.
Before long, there were two dozen friends and family in the water, bobbing to the rhythm of the mariachi band and celebrating another major championship.
Ochoa became the first player since Sorenstam in 2005 to win consecutive majors.

