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 News from Around the Americas | September 2007 
Ochoa Provides Hope for Futures
 Pete Dougherty - TimesUnion.com
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If the LPGA seems like a distant galaxy to the 140 or so Futures Tour players gathered this week at Capital Hills for the I Love NY Championship, they should surf the Internet - not for MapQuest, but for a little history.
In last year's Albany tournament, Meaghan Francella moved from eighth to fifth on the Futures money list to collect the final LPGA exempt spot. She has one victory on the tour this year and is 27th on the LPGA money list.
Not bad for someone who nearly didn't earn a spot.
For more evidence, look no further than the top of the Women's World Golf Rankings. Lorena Ochoa was first on the Futures money list just five years ago. She now is the unquestioned top women's player in the world.
"She's done everything she could to be in the position," said Violeta Retamoza, who is in good position to join her fellow Mexican on next year's LPGA Tour.
Retamoza, a 24-year-old Futures rookie, is second on the tour's money list heading into this season-ending event and a virtual lock to hang on to one of the top-five slots.
She could do worse for a role model than Ochoa, who has won her past three tournaments and six for the season. Ochoa's $2,891,590 in earnings this year is more than double that of the No. 2 player on the list, Suzann Pettersen.
"She is a very good friend of mine," Retamoza said. "We grew up together. I remember how she always had that thing to be No. 1 in the world. She has always tried to do her best. She has worked hard to be there. I have always thought she had everything to be there.
"She has done so many things for golf and Mexico. She is a very good example for all of us who want to be out there, not only for Mexico but every woman golfer who wants to succeed."
Since 1999, the Futures has provided a direct path to the LPGA. It started as the top three money winners and expanded to five in 2003.
Of the 32 women who have advanced from the Futures via the money list, only four have lost their cards.
Is there another Ochoa kicking around the Futures Tour? Could it be someone such as Retamoza, who has a victory and three runner-up finishes in 16 tournaments this season?
"Maybe," she said. "Why not? I'm here and I love doing this. I'm just going to go out there and do my best. In the end, who knows what could happen?"
pdougherty@timesunion.com |
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