Ochoa Rallies To Win Safeway International

Sunday, March 25th 2007, 7:53 pm

By: News On 6

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN, Ariz. (AP) -- Lorena Ochoa blew a 4-stroke lead to Suzann Pettersen, then birdied four of the last five holes for a 2-stroke victory in the Safeway International on Sunday.

Ochoa shot a 4-under 68 to rally past Pettersen (66).

Ochoa blew a 4-shot lead in the final round for the second time in three years at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club. But this time she survived, overtaking Norway's Pettersen with birdies on the 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes.

Ochoa, the tour's reigning player of the year, earned $225,000 for her 10th LPGA Tour victory. She finished at 18 under.

The Mexican star opened the day with a 4-stroke lead. But it disappeared as Pettersen then added another birdie on the 7th.

Two years ago, Ochoa blew a 4-stroke lead with three holes to play and lost to Annika Sorenstam in a playoff.

On Sunday, Ochoa watched her lead evaporate early.

Pettersen needed only five holes to erase Ochoa's lead, birdieing the second, third, fourth and fifth holes. Pettersen surged ahead when Ochoa bogeyed the par-4 sixth hole, missing a 4-foot putt.

Ochoa, who never trailed by more than a stroke, reclaimed the lead for good when she made a 10-foot putt on the par-3 17th. After Pettersen parred the par-5 18th, Ochoa birdied the hole to wrap up the victory.