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Ochoa "surprised" by Annika's retirement

CLIFTON, N.J.--Lorena Ochoa, the world's No. 1-ranked player, was caught a little off-guard by Annika Sorenstam's announcement Tuesday that she would retire at the end of the 2008 season. Ochoa, who overtook Sorenstam in the Rolex Rankings last April and has held the spot ever since, is expected to take the helm from Annika as the face of women's golf for many years to come.

"It caught me by surprise," Ochoa said shortly after Sorenstam's announcement at the Sybase Classic Presented by ShopRite. "I didn't think it would happen this soon. It's sad, but I'm really happy for her, because I know it's a tough decision to quit playing and have a family, and [pursue] other activities off the golf course."

Ochoa, the defending Sybase champion, won five of her first six events this season and appeared to have a lock on the No. 1 ranking and Player of the Year honors. However, Sorenstam has won her last two starts, including a landslide seven-shot victory at last week's Michelob ULTRA Open, where Ochoa finished tied for 12th. Sorenstam currently trails Ochoa by only $300,000 on the money list and has cut her lead in the Rolex Player of the Year race to 54 points.

"I admire her very much," said Ochoa. "We will miss her for sure, and we will never forget what she has done for us as players, and for the LPGA. So I thank her for every moment, and hopefully she has a great year and great success."

Ochoa wasn't the only player surprised by Sorenstam's decision. Fellow Swede Liselotte Neumann, who teamed with Sorenstam to win the Women's World Cup of Golf in 2006, said: "The timing surprised me, especially being so early in the season. She's going to be missed."

Asked if she thought Sorenstam's competitiveness would make it difficult for her to stay away from the game, Neumann added: "That's always been one of her qualities; when she sets her mind to do something, that's what she's going to do. She would never come out and announce it unless she's going to do it."