Silvia Cavalleri denied Mexican Lorena Ochoa a chance to celebrate her new world No. 1 status with a victory on Sunday as the Italian player captured her first LPGA title at the Corona Championship.
Cavalleri shot a 7-under-par 66 to win the US$1.3 million tournament by two shots over Ochoa and Julieta Granada.
The three had shared the lead heading into the final round.
Cavalleri had seven birdies in her bogey-free round on the Tres Marias course, finishing with a 20-under total of 272.
"I feel great, obviously. It's about a dream coming true after all these years, knowing I could do it," Cavalleri said. "I've been there a few times and been in the last group for the final round."
"I've been there a few times and to finally get to make my first win was huge," she said.
In six starts this season, Cavalleri's best finish was a tie for 26th at last month's Safeway International.
She had missed two cuts and failed to break the top 50 in her three other events.
The native of Milan shot in the 60s in all four rounds after registering just one round under 70 for the entire year.
"Everything was really smooth. I didn't hit the ball really well the first six holes, so my putting got me through it," Cavalleri said. "I just tried to make as many pars as I could and, if I had an opportunity to make birdie, I tried to make them.
"Obviously I putted really well this week, so that was the key to my game," she said.
Playing in her home country, Ochoa was hoping to cap a big week. The reigning Player of the Year took over the top spot in the world rankings yesterday with 12.84 points, 0.14 ahead of longtime world No. 1 Annika Sorenstam.
Ochoa was also hoping to make her first successful title defense.
Following up her blazing 64 on Saturday, Ochoa also had a bogey-free round with a 5-under 68 to finish at 274 -- not quite enough to keep pace with Cavalleri.
"I am happy," Ochoa said. "It was a nice weekend and I will keep many fond memories. I think Silvia definitely deserves the tournament."
But Ochoa kept up her effort until the end. She reached the 463m par-5 18th hole in two, but her 15m putt for eagle and a chance to tie Cavalleri was off by by 0.6m.
"I knew I had to take the risk," Ochoa said. "It was a good decision. It gave me the chance to score a good eagle."
Paraguay's Granada overcame a bogey on the first hole with six birdies to tie Ochoa with a 68 for 274. She matched her best finish this year, a runner-up finish to Paula Creamer in the SBS Open in Hawaii in February.
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