Lorena Ochoa Invitational Preview & TV Schedule

Lorena Ochoa Invitational Presented by Banamex Defending Champion Lexi Thompson.

I’ve been waiting all year for the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. The prospect of watching thirty-six of the best golfers in the world battle it out for 72 holes in this no-cut event sends shivers down my spine! The 7th edition of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational Presented by Banamex, the final LPGA event before the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, will be played this week, November 13-16 at the Club de Golf Mexico in Mexico City. With a million dollar purse and 500 Race to the CME Globe points on the table, I’m expecting four days a world-class golf!

More from Golf News

The Venue

The Club de Golf Mexico was born from a dream of Miguel Aleman, President of Mexico from 1946-1952. Aleman’s presidency was marked by economic growth across sectors and the Club de Golf Mexico was a part of his vision for a new Mexico.

The search for a perfect place led to a soft valley nestled between two hills south of Mexico City but within the Federal District, on the grounds of the Hacienda de San Buenaventure. The land was covered by fine volcanic sand, which would provide superb drainage, and a small river that flowed year-round through the property would provide opportunities for creating some devilish challenges to those who would play the track. The surrounding woodlands and a view of the volcanco Iztaccihuatl in the background made an idyllic setting for the world-class Club Golf de Mexico that opened for play in 1952.

The Field

Michelle Wie. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Defending champion Lexi Thompson held off Stacy Lewis to capture the coveted Lorena Ochoa trophy and don the celebratory sombrero last year and she’s going to face Lewis again this year, as well as every other player at the top of the world rankings.

With the exception of IK Kim (2010), all the past champions are in the field which, in addition to Thompson, includes Cristie Kerr (2012), Catriona Matthew (2011), Michelle Wie (2009) and Angela Stanford (2008).

Most of the 2014 Tour winners will be trying to notch another victory and capture the splendid trophy: Anna Nordqvist, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Lydia Ko, Lizette Salas, Mo Martin, So Yeon Ryu, Austin Ernst, Shanshan Feng, Mi Hyang Lee, as well as Stacy Lewis and Inbee Park.

Brittany Lincicome, Azahara Munoz, Brittany Lang and Pornanong Phatlum have all been playing superb golf and are poised to take control of the top of the board this week.

Alejandra Llaneza

In addition to Natalie Gulbis and Juli Inkster, three fine young Mexican golfers are in the field at the sponsor’s invitation: Alejandra Llaneza, Gaby Lopez, and Margarita Ramos. Llaneza, who played collegiate golf at the University of Arizona, qualified for the Tour in 2013. Lopez, who plays collegiate golf at Arkansas and is playing as an amateur, may be a familiar name. She played her first Tour event earlier this year, the WalMart NW Arkansas Championship. Ramos, who also played collegiate golf at Arizona, is playing her second year on the Symetra Tour.

What it boils down to is this: the odds are good that your favorite Tour player is in the field at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Media Coverage

Golf Channel will provide delayed coverage of each round, Thursday, November 13 through Sunday, November 16, from 5-7pm ET.

My colleagues and I will also provide ongoing commentary and updates on the Lorena Ochoa Invitational throughout the tournament.

Follow me on Twitter @bethbethel and Annette Walker @TinkWalker and we’ll notify you when we publish event news.

Home/Golf News