Ochoa Stays Cool, In Reach of Lead

Like most 9-year-olds, Lorena Ochoa of Guadalajara, Mexico, isn’t fond of talking about herself.

The defending girls’ 10-and-under Optimist Junior World champion wasn’t sure how she shot an opening-round two-under-par 56 Tuesday at Presidio Hills, or why she stays so cool when everything and everyone is heating up around her.

Ochoa, who took up golf three years ago, is not a student of the game yet. Names like Arnold Palmer and Joanne Carner don’t mean much to her. About the only golfer she’s familiar with is her father, who taught her to play.

But with a swing and a temperament like hers, Ochoa doesn’t need to know much or talk much.

Ochoa hit 14 of 18 greens and three-putted only once. And even with her excellent round, Ochoa is one stroke behind Jordan Auten, 9, of Las Vegas. Auten finished eighth last year.

Ochoa came into last year’s tournament having never played in a tournament outside of Guadalajara. Her father, Javier, said he brought Lorena to the junior world for fun.

“I never thought she had a chance of winning it,” Javier said through an interpreter. “We just wanted to come for the experience of it.”

Javier said none of his daughter’s success has been planned. He didn’t encourage her to play. In fact, he allowed her play only after she kept insisting on it.

“She followed me around the course until I let her try it,” he said.

Now, he follows her around the course. The Ochoas live on a private course that Lorena plays every day.

Javier said he thought Lorena had a gift for the game, but he wasn’t sure until the pro at Guadalajara Country Club told him his daughter had a natural swing.

Ochoa’s natural swing produced three birdies on the front nine and one on the back nine. It almost produced a hole-in-one on the par-3 fifth hole. Ochoa’s tee shot landed just inches from the pin. Ochoa tapped in for birdie.

Most of her round was spent nervously waiting. After driving to within 10 or 15 feet of the cup, Ochoa would sometimes watch the other players hit two shots each before it was her turn to hit again.

But the wait never seemed to upset her. After a bad shot, other girls stomped around or threw their bags in disgust. Ochoa simply shook her head if her shot didn’t meet her expectations.

Matthew Cohn of San Diego shot a 51 to lead the boys’ 10-and-under. Darren Stapley of Mesa, Ariz., is four back.

In the boys’ 15-17 division at Torrey Pines South, five-time junior world titlist Eldrick “Tiger” Woods of Cypress shot a two-over 74. Woods blamed his high score on his putting. He said he had trouble reading the greens. The leader, Dan Dalton of Huntington Beach, shot a 69.

Michael Pavao of Hilo, Hawaii, is two strokes behind Dalton. Chris Riley of Madison High, the San Diego Section individual champion, shot par 72.

Skyli Yamada of Sandy, Utah, leads the girls’ 15-17 after shooting a two-under 72 at Torrey Pines North.

In the boys’ 11-12 at Singing Hills, Jin Park of Fullerton leads with a 53. Jennifer Rosales of Quezon City, Philippines, leads the girls’ division with a 58.

In the boys’ 13-14 division at Mission Trails, Andrew Wen of San Marcos shot a 67 to lead the field.