Mon Aug 20 01:07:25 2007

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Ochoa gets fifth win of the year

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Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa was threatened a bit on Sunday, but in the end pulled away with her fifth victory of the year at the Canadian Open.

Ochoa, who recently collected her first major title at the Women's British Open, shot a two-under 69 on Sunday. She finished off her 14th LPGA Tour victory at 16-under-par 268.

That number established a new tournament record, besting Meg Mallon's mark from 2004 by two.

"It feels very good. I'm very happy," said Ochoa, who pocketed $337,500 for the victory. "It was just a great day today. It wasn't easy. I didn't feel very comfortable in the morning."

Paula Creamer got within two on Sunday, but could no closer. She carded a three-under 68 and finished alone in second place at 13-under-par 271.

"It was great to be able to play on Sunday in contention," said Creamer. "It feels good. You know, I played good, so I keep saying it's a learning experience out there for me."

Shi Hyun Ahn fired a five-under 66 on Sunday to take third at minus-10.

Brittany Lang (67) and Laura Diaz (72) tied for fourth place at nine-under-par 275. Both players are hoping to catch the eye of U.S. Solheim Cup captain Betsy King. Next week, King will make her two captain's picks and both are outside of the top 10.

Ochoa began the final round with a four-shot lead, but Creamer cut into it with birdies at two and three. However, Ochoa rolled in a six-foot birdie putt of her own at the third to lead by three.

Ochoa padded her margin to five with a birdie at six, but things got interesting before the turn.

At the ninth, Creamer hit her approach to three feet, while Ochoa hit a poor nine-iron short and right in a bunker. She blasted out to six feet and missed the putt, pulling Creamer within three.

Creamer drained an 18-foot birdie putt at the 11th and suddenly Ochoa only led by two strokes.

Ochoa answered at the 12th. Despite missing the fairway off the tee, Ochoa hit a spectacular seven-iron to two feet to set up birdie. Creamer three-putted from 30 feet for a bogey at the par-five 14th and was back down four shots.

Ochoa added to her lead with a seven-foot birdie putt at the 15th. When she bogeyed 17 and Creamer made birdie, the final margin became three, but Ochoa had the tournament in hand on the second nine.

"Paula made a couple birdies to narrow the difference. And then we made the turn, and then I started feeling strong," said Ochoa. "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."

Jeong Jang (68), Kimberly Hall (69) and Ya-Ni Tseng (71) shared sixth place at minus-eight.

Sean Hwa Lee matched the course record with a seven-under 64 and took a solo ninth at seven-under-par 277.

Angela Stanford (68), Alena Sharp (69) and LPGA Champion Suzann Pettersen (68) tied for 10th at minus-six.