World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa will find plenty of rivals gunning for her this week as she defends her title in the LPGA World Championship.
Ochoa's two-stroke victory at Bighorn golf club last year, when she out-dueled Swedish superstar Annika Sorenstam, helped her clinch last year's Player of the Year honors.
"Last year was a really special year, especially this tournament," Ochoa said. "I think winning here, and having that last-round play with Annika, and coming from behind, it was something very special and important for my career."
The 25-year-old from Mexico has continued her climb this season, surpassing Sorenstam atop the world rankings. Her six titles so far this year include her first major, at the Women's British Open, and she has won more than US$3 million.
But this week's elite 20-woman field includes players who have managed to give Ochoa a run for her money this year.
World No. 2 Suzann Pettersen of Norway overcame Ochoa at the second hole of sudden death on Sunday to win the Longs Drugs Challenge for her third victory of the year. Like Ochoa, her list of wins includes a major as well, the LPGA Championship in June.
"I'm very excited to be here," Pettersen said. "It's always been a tournament that you want to get into, and this year I definitely earned my spot here."
US player Nicole Castrale, who earned her first career victory with a playoff win over Ochoa at the Ginn Tribute in June, also booked her spot in the elite event, where she will be playing in front of enthusiastic home supporters.
All but one of the 20 players here qualified for the event, and 18 of the 23 tournament victories this year have been captured by someone in the field.
The lone sponsor's invitation went to teenager Michelle Wie.
"I love it here, I really do," Wie said. "It's a great venue. It's a great golf course. Samsung just holds a really good tournament every single year, and I can't believe it's my fourth year already. I'm just really happy to be back."
Wie has earned just more than US$9,000 this year.
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