U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

June 26, 2008

Lorena Ochoa

FULL AUDIO INTERVIEW

Q. You had to like the ending, I suppose. Rather than the beginning.

LORENA OCHOA: Yes, I'm really happy with my even par. I think that we all know that anything around par for the U.S. Open is always good. I know there are some low scores today. I'm a little bit disappointed I didn't take advantage of the great conditions, but at the same time I feel that it was three birdies and I think I'm still in it and that's what's important.

Q. Were you frustrated at all through 13 holes, no birdies?

LORENA OCHOA: Very frustrated. Yes.

Q. When is the last time you went 13 holes without a birdie?

LORENA OCHOA: No idea. But yeah, it's just too hard to believe you know, beautiful conditions and actually the greens were soft. And they put some water on last night and I was surprised. I think that I couldn't -- I didn't play aggressive enough at this time. And I hit at the ball a little bit bad in the middle of the round. But luckily I finished with a birdie so I'm feeling good right now.

Q. What's your mindset at the beginning of the round, did you change it?

LORENA OCHOA: Yeah, I think that's what you have to do. Yes, for a U.S. Open. Just always trying to not be too hard on yourself and just be patient and wait for the birdie opportunities. But sometimes you get tired of just waiting and waiting. But I'm glad it happened. I think it was important to come back and finish even par.

Q. When did you start thinking about I need to be more aggressive and go harder at the flags?

LORENA OCHOA: In the front nine maybe on hole No. 6, 7. I got really upset with that 3-putt on number 7.

Q. You left that short there.

LORENA OCHOA: I had 134 yards there a 9-iron. I have no idea what happened. I hit it pretty good there. And it came up 20 yards short.

No. 9 I missed the fairway to the left side, I was way under the trees and actually hit a really good second shot but couldn't make up-and- down.

But that's what it is. It always plays tough. And I'm okay. I think I'm okay where I am. Tomorrow's going to be important. I need to come back a little bit and make a few birdies. But I'm ready.

Q. Your playing partner shot 4-under today. Had you ever played with her before? Had you seen her before and what was your impression of her?

LORENA OCHOA: First time I played with her. I seen her before, of course, I follow her career and so winning the U.S. Amateur. I enjoyed the round almost like her. I was laughing and it was just very nice and easy to watch her play. She seemed very relaxed and I gave her congratulations to her and the coach and the family. And it's great to play next to her and I'm sure she will be here in the future.

Q. I think I heard someone say in the gallery that we're all Latinos, I think that's what they said. Is there any kind of competition even though totally different countries and continents whether it's Columbia or Mexico?

LORENA OCHOA: I think just the language. And I think we have similar cultures. But probably come from a Catholic family. We have very much alike, we know what family means to us and the sacrifices that we need to make coming from different countries and playing here in the states. So I understand her very well. And I think she's going, she's doing great so far and I wish her the best.

Q. You guys were walking up 18 together, it seemed like you were having a good interaction. Can you tell us what you were talking about?

LORENA OCHOA: On 18? I think her English is so good we're giving her a hard time that I was so bad when I first came out when I was in college, and she seems that she got it down.

(Laughter.)

And then we were talking about how she always talked to the ball in Spanish. I told her that eventually she will talk to the ball in English because it's something that happens with time.

Q. You play in America you don't speak to it in English?

LORENA OCHOA: In the first two years it's easy to speak to it in Spanish but after that it comes in English.

Q. You had a lot of like commercials and stuff, is that a big priority to you to have lots of endorsements and things like that or is it not much a priority of other things?

LORENA OCHOA: Well, I think for an athlete you have to have a both things. You have to have both things in a good position. But of course it comes with a good golf, with winning tournaments. It helps a lot. I'm pretty happy with what I have.

I have great support from the beginning. Especially in Mexico starting in Mexico. And now it's global. So I'm happy with that.

Q. Have you been disappointed by the number of opportunities or do you feel like there have been more than enough opportunities for you?

LORENA OCHOA: We're doing okay. I think it's been good. I'm very thankful.

Q. Three birdies?

LORENA OCHOA: How do I make them?

Q. Yes.

LORENA OCHOA: 13, the par-3, I hit a 5-iron. It was playing I think 177. And I just leave it short about six feet. </ p>

16, I hit a 9-iron 128 yards. Just a little long, maybe six feet. And I made that.

18, I hit the green in two with a 5-wood, 222 yards to the front. Just leave it a little bit short and 2-putted for birdie.

Q. (Inaudible.)

LORENA OCHOA: Yes, but I like it, I like the aggressiveness. She's not afraid and that's very important. And then she was playing just like a college tournament and it's very impressive to see. I think it's a very good quality.

Q. Like what tournament?

LORENA OCHOA: College.

Q. Was there a point today when you saw a leaderboard and saw the scores lower than what you might have expected?

LORENA OCHOA: I was just disappointed that it was not me. Because it was playing fairly easy in the morning. For sure I could have finished 2, 3-under par and been in a better position. But like I said, I think it will come back, the U.S. Open is always tough and I'm okay where I am, I guess.

Q. Was there any time in the practice round when you got to 18 did you think about going down the 10th fairway?

LORENA OCHOA: I guess it could be done even with the tees forward. But I don't think it was worth it. I hit a driver and a 5-wood, so it was playing, I think it would be different if it's a lot of wind into you. Then it could be easier just going to number 10 and don't worry about the water or that. We'll see.