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Ochoa racks up second consecutive victory

Lorena Ochoa holds up the cup after winning at Edmonton's Royal Mayfair Golf and Country Club in the Canadian Women's Open in Edmonton, Canada, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

Lorena Ochoa won the Canadian Women's Open for her second straight victory and fifth of the season, closing with a 2-under 69 for a three-stroke victory over Paula Creamer on Sunday.

The top-ranked Mexican star, coming off her first major victory two weeks ago in the Women's British Open at St. Andrews, had a 16-under 268 total on the Royal Mayfair Golf and Country Club course. She earned US$337,500 to raise her tour-leading total to US$2,636,590.

"It was just one of those weeks where everything was good from tee to green," Ochoa told the cheering crowd, some waving Mexican flags, as she stood on the 18th green and struggled to lift the outsized two-handled silver mug trophy.

"It's like a soccer trophy. I like it," she said.

She has 14 victories in five full seasons on the tour.

"It wasn't easy," Ochoa said. "I didn't feel very comfortable in the morning. I wasn't in a rhythm on the front nine, and Paula made a couple birdies to narrow the difference. And then we made the turn, and then I started feeling strong. I made a good birdie on No. 12 to get good momentum, and I think from there things kind of changed in my way to finish with a good distance."

"It's like a soccer trophy. I like it."

Lorena Ochoa, top-ranked Mexican female golfer

Creamer finished with a 68.

"I gave myself a ton of chances out there and that's all you can ask for on Sunday. I tried my hardest," Creamer said.

"It was great to be able to play on Sunday in contention. It feels good. I played good, so I keep saying it's a learning experience out there for me. Two unfortunate bogeys, little putts, but other than that, I think I did an OK job of hanging in there and trying to put some pressure on her," Creamer said.

Shi Hyun-ahn (66) was third at 10 under, and Brittany Lang (67) and Laura Diaz (72) followed at 9 under.

Alena Sharp was the top Canadian, closing with a 69 to tie for 10th -- her highest tour finish -- at 6 under.

"This is definitely going to give me more confidence. I know I can be one of the best players out here," Sharp said. "I hit some great shots today. I had a couple of tap-in birdies and that always helps."

US Women's Open champion Cristie Kerr, the winner last year at London Hunt in Ontario, shot a 75 to tie for 50th at 1 over.

"You're not going to defend any golf tournament playing like this," Kerr said. "I didn't hit it good today and my putting woes continued. It would have been funny if I just chucked my putter in the lake after the round because I'm not using it anymore."

Taiwan's Tseng Ya-ni (曾雅妮) shared seventh place with South Korea's Jeong Jang and Kim Hall of the US at 276.
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