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LPGA – Lorena Ochoa Match Play Tourney Just Got Better!

By Elizabeth Bethel

Apr 11, 2015; Augusta, GA, USA; Annika Sorenstam in attendance along the first hole during the third round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Augusta, GA, USA; Annika Sorenstam in attendance along the first hole during the third round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Lorena Ochoa Match Play has added a Hall of Famer exhibition match – Ochoa, Inkster, Sorenstam & Pak!

I was excited when Lorena Ochoa announced she’s going to play in the LPGA’s Lorena Ochoa Match Play in May. Now I’m euphoric.

The LPGA has announced the addition of an amazing Hall of Famer exhibition to the tournament format! It’s going to be a tournament within a tournament!

Annika Sorenstam, Juli Inkster, and Se Ri Pak will join Ochoa at the Club de Golf Mexico for two rounds of what’s being billed as exhibition play.

Although the pairings haven’t been announced (and may not be until just before the matches, just to tantalize us), the Hall of Famers will play a scramble format on Saturday and a best ball format on Sunday.

I confess that the prospect of Solheim Cup Captains Sorenstam and Inkster paired in a best ball contest against Ochoa and Pak is especially delicious.  One can only imagine the potential conflict – Should they share strategies that could come into play at a critical moment in Des Moines in order to out-maneuver Ochoa and Pak? Or sacrifice the Ochoa-Pak match in order to retain a potential strategic edge in one of the Solheim Cup matches?

Celebrating Lorena Ochoa’s Hall of Fame Induction

Fantasy aside, the addition of the exhibition matches to the tournament transforms an exciting match play event into a celebratory event of even greater magnitude. The bringing together of these four golf legends for 36 holes of match play is a stroke of brilliance on the part of tournament organizers.

Se Ri Pak, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 and who retired from competitive golf last year, says her game may not be in peak condition but she’s looking forward to the reunion:

"I have so many great memories of competing with Lorena, Annika and Juli – all of whom are true golf legends."

Annika Sorenstam, herself a Hall of Fame golf legend, views this exhibition match as an early celebration of Ochoa’s September induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Sorenstam reflected on competing against Lorena Ochoa:

"“I always enjoyed competing against her. She is such a terrific player, person and ambassador for the game. She achieved a lot in a very short amount of time, both on and off the course. I look forward to seeing her.”"

Full Field & Format

More from Pro Golf Now

The shift from a conventional 72-hole stroke play tournament to a match play format makes the Lorena Ochoa tournament the only match play event on the Tour’s schedule (aside from the biennial Solheim Cup).

The field is an elite one. The top 20 LPGA members in the Rolex Rankings automatically qualify, plus two sponsor invites. The balance of the field will be selected based on Tour members’ position on the LPGA Official Money List effective April 25, 2017.

The first round of match play on Thursday, May 4, will engage the full field, with Friday, May 5 and Saturday morning (May 6) will winnow down the field, with semifinal matches Sunday morning and the final match Sunday afternoon.

Next: Lorena Ochoa Will Tee It Up in May

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