Lorena Ochoa - Annika's biggest rival, not Creamer
Lorena Ochoa has been absolutely outstanding this season so far.
She had a great 3 stroke victory last weekend, leading wire to wire. She had only 2 bogies in the whole tournament. She was -11 on the par 5s. Given that there was only 12 par 5's that shows how exceptional it was.
Paula Creamer on the other hand, had a slow first round, a blistering 2nd round, where she got right into contention, and into the final group, and then shot a pretty average final round. Nobody in the top 16 had a worse round that Creamer.
Season's results so far for Ochoa:
1, 2, 2, 4, 24, 34.
Season's results so far for Creamer:
4, 7, 11, 13, 24,
Creamer has earned $169,721
Ochoa has earned $474,051
Paula Creamer had a great rookie year. She finished 2nd on the money list. Many of us, including myself wondered if she would close the gap on Annika this season much. The reality so far has proved that it could be extremely difficult for her to retain number 2 on the money list.
I think Lorena Ochoa is the woman to give Annika the biggest run for her money. I still expect Annika to come out well on top, but I think it will be Lorena who cuts into her dominance a bit, particularly as regards the money list.
I agree to you. I was never sold on creamer because of her lack of power game. Ochoa is as long as Annika and is more natural putter than Annika. If Annika doesn't find her putting stroke soon, Ochoa really can overtake Annika this season.
Considering Creamer is only what, 18 or 19 I would give her a little time to come into her own. Ochoa is a veteran of many more tourneys than Paula and is just now putting herself consistently in position to win. Give Paula a season or two to acclimate her self with the touring lifestyle before you toss her out with the bath water.
Ochoa is a tremendous talent. She should probably have a few more victories than she does, including a couple of majors. If she can shake those Sunday jitters there is nothing stopping her from challenging Annika's dominance, IMO.
Considering Creamer is only what, 18 or 19 I would give her a little time to come into her own. Ochoa is a veteran of many more tourneys than Paula and is just now putting herself consistently in position to win. Give Paula a season or two to acclimate her self with the touring lifestyle before you toss her out with the bath water.
I actually agree about giving Paula more time.
My main point was that alot of people, including Paula I think, were wondering how much Paula would close the gap to Annika, THIS season. I think she would do extremely well to consolidate her position, and do as well as her rookie season, because many good rookies falter after that.
Lorena is probably the closest challenger at this point...but I'm still not entirely convinced that she's over her final round troubles. If she can win a few tight ones down the stretch, I'll reconsider that. Within 2-3 years though, I believe Paula and Michelle will be Annika's closest pursuers, as Annika slows down a bit and those two grow into their games.
I actually agree about giving Paula more time.
My main point was that alot of people, including Paula I think, were wondering how much Paula would close the gap to Annika, THIS season. I think she would do extremely well to consolidate her position, and do as well as her rookie season, because many good rookies falter after that.
I really don't think it's a reasonable expectation to think that Paula is going to "challenge" Annika at this stage of her career. Even Lorena Ochoa took at couple of years on tour to get to the point where's she at now.
I really don't think it's a reasonable expectation to think that Paula is going to "challenge" Annika at this stage of her career. Even Lorena Ochoa took at couple of years on tour to get to the point where's she at now.
While I agree it may not be reasonable to expect Paula to challenge Annika this year... I would like to point out its been a very reasonable and even expected that Paula be the number 2 player behind Annika this year. In fact this position is held not only by fans but most of the experts in thier expectations and previews for the 06 season.
While its still early its become clear that Lorena and not Paula is the one more likely to emerge as the clear number 2 best player (if not the number 1 by some small miracle).
note: michelle wie does not qualify... she plays too little. (unless she wins 2 majors or something like that this year of course.)
While I agree it may not be reasonable to expect Paula to challenge Annika this year... I would like to point out its been a very reasonable and even expected that Paula be the number 2 player behind Annika this year. In fact this position is held not only by fans but most of the experts in thier expectations and previews for the 06 season.
While its still early its become clear that Lorena and not Paula is the one more likely to emerge as the clear number 2 best player (if not the number 1 by some small miracle).
note: michelle wie does not qualify... she plays too little. (unless she wins 2 majors or something like that this year of course.)
A preview by the experts is just that, a preview...so lets just keep it at that.
Now, in regards to Wie, she is still in high school. One cannot expect much out of a player who balances education and the Tour lifestyle.
It was nice to see Ochoa get the win in the last tournament. I hope she continues to gain confidence. Her swing looks pretty nice and solid to me.
I'd like to see her get over the hump in a major. She certainly has the game, but sometimes she looks as if she's trying too hard and the weight of the world is on her. She's a virtual goddess in Mexico, so maybe it is.
I'd like to see her get over the hump in a major. She certainly has the game, but sometimes she looks as if she's trying too hard and the weight of the world is on her. She's a virtual goddess in Mexico, so maybe it is.
She really has the support back home, that's for sure! I like watching her play, because she takes her game serious while enjoying it at the same time. Sometimes the camera captures her face right after a good or bad shot, and there's no doubting how she feels about it! No theatrics or tantrums, no wild celebration, just a wonderful smile and joke with her caddy, or a frown and slump of the shoulders. Then on the next shot, it's like she forgot all about what she did last. She's going to be winning a lot more, I believe.
While I agree it may not be reasonable to expect Paula to challenge Annika this year... I would like to point out its been a very reasonable and even expected that Paula be the number 2 player behind Annika this year. In fact this position is held not only by fans but most of the experts in thier expectations and previews for the 06 season.
While its still early its become clear that Lorena and not Paula is the one more likely to emerge as the clear number 2 best player (if not the number 1 by some small miracle).
note: michelle wie does not qualify... she plays too little. (unless she wins 2 majors or something like that this year of course.)
It's not unusual for a player to emerge as challenger and take a step back especially one as young as Creamer. She's still maturing as a player and as young woman.
It's not unusual for a player to emerge as challenger and take a step back especially one as young as Creamer. She's still maturing as a player and as young woman.
Totally agree ce me... My point was only that it was a common and popular opinion that Creamer was going to emerge as the clear 2nd best player in the lpga. The fact that she hasnt so far I dont personally think is a big deal since they've only competed in 6 events. Furthermore even if she ends the season not in the top 3 or even top 5, while I'm sure it would be dissapointing for her and fans, I dont think it would be too disconcerting as she is only 19/20 and in her second year. If she finished out of the top 15 of the lpga however thats a matter of greater concern.
April 16th, 2006, 06:08 PM
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