Looks like an Ochoa runaway

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Lorena Ochoa equates playing golf tournaments to running marathons.

After taking a six-shot lead at the Women’s British Open on Saturday, the top-ranked Mexican can at last see the finish line for her first major victory in her 24th attempt.

Ochoa shot a second consecutive par 73 and was the only player under par on the Old Course at St. Andrews. She is at six-under 213, six shots ahead of Linda Wessberg of Sweden, who shot a 72.

The biggest danger might come from Annika Sorenstam, who shot a 77 and is one of four players seven shots back at one-over 220.

“I’m not going to pay attention to other players and just play my own game and try to be aggressive and make some birdies,” Ochoa said. “I think once you try to start doing something different you get in trouble. I just want to play my game and hopefully, I can win maybe by more.”

Ochoa is lithe but strong, something she attributes to marathons.

“I like to train for half-marathons,” said Ochoa, who has twice been second in majors. “Even on the tour, I like to think we are running in a marathon and we are just training. You can go really, really far. It helps me to know just how far I can go and never to give up, and just keep on going and be tough.

“In a way you can relate it to golf. Just always be strong and have a mind-set that you can do it and that you want to make it.”

Wessberg was tied for 19th at the start of her round, but recorded her fourth birdie of the day at the 18th to compensate for a double-bogey 6 at the 13th.