Ochoa Beats Them All in 2007

While many news outlets, golfing or otherwise, examined the recently ended 2007 season, various names were put out for Player of the Year.

While Tiger Woods would inevitable emerge in any list, I think the Sports Network got it bang on target when it named the LPGA’s outstanding golfer, Lorena Ochoa, Player of the Year.

Woods was only able to make the runners-up spot but the Network’s detailed analysis of the two players’ achievements over the course of 2007 offers compelling evidence for giving the nod to Mexican star Ochoa.

Both players won one major, finishing the year ranked number one in the world, topped the money list, had great scoring averages and finished ahead of the competition in terms of greens in regulation.

Tiger also won $10,867,052 in prize money, the second highest collection in a single PGA Tour season.

Ochoa may have won “only” $4,364,994 but that made it a record on the LPGA Tour by more than $1.5 million.

In addition, Ochoa, who also won the AP’s Female Athlete of the Year title, completed 21 top-10 positions to go along with her eight tour wins. Woods finished in the top 10 a total of 12 times in 2007 while collecting seven victories.

The British Open earn the Network’s Tournament of the Year for the sheer drama of Padraig Harrington’s victory while the confusing FedEx Cup earn Story of the Year, more in ironing than anything else.

The FedEx Cup, which appeared to offer $10 million to the winner, was difficult to grasp, even for some pros, such as Korean ace KJ Choi. As the story in the Canada.com relates:

“KJ Choi really didn’t get it. Choi, a devout Christian, announced he would donate the $10 million to charity if he won the FedEx Cup playoff title. Tiger Woods told the media that would be impossible since the money goes into the player’s retirement fund.”


One Response to “Ochoa Beats Them All in 2007”

  1. Henry says:

    Dear Andy,

    What about Ochoa playing with the guys and see whether she will do any better than Anika and Michelle Wee?

    I believe at her present strength and fitness now she can pull through or even make cut in the guys tournament….What do you think?

    Regards….and cheers!!

    Henry

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