Woods' injury comes as surprise to opponents

Ochoa looks to remain hot on LPGA Tour

Associated Press

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Often, the talk around Harbour Town Golf Links centers on Tiger Woods' latest victory, record or streak. On Wednesday, it focused on his left knee.

On Tuesday, Woods announced on his Web site he had had arthroscopic surgery on the knee and would need at least four weeks to recover.

"I was shocked. I couldn't believe it when I heard driving in," Brandt Snedeker said Wednesday, a day before the start of the Heritage. Snedeker finished third at the Masters last week behind champion Trevor Immelman and Woods.

"I actually got two blown cartilages and I'm playing through it," tour veteran Fred Funk said, laughing. "It's a surprise. But this is just a window of opportunity for him to get it done."

"He's in such great shape that you probably wouldn't know if he had a problem," South African Tim Clark said.

Woods' swing coach, Hank Haney, sat through several interviews without giving away Woods' injury. But Haney did discuss Woods' ball-striking at the Masters, saying he was told by the player's caddie, Steve Williams, that it was the best he has hit the ball at Augusta National.

"He's been with him 10 years, so that says something" Haney said of Williams.

Aaron Baddeley didn't expect to see high-fives in the locker room over Woods' absence.

"It's a bummer that he's not out here," Baddeley said. "You always want to compete against the best because when you win, it makes it that much more special."

"It's good for us, because now that he's taking off we've got a chance to win a couple of these," Snedeker said, laughing.

OCHOA TALKING GRAND SLAM: After Woods won his first three events this year, Lorena Ochoa turned to some of her friends and jokingly said, "OK, we need to catch up." Now, Ochoa might be pulling away.

The 26-year-old Mexican has won three consecutive tournaments on the LPGA Tour, including the first major of the year, and acknowledged Wednesday she is thinking about winning a Grand Slam.

"That's something that as a player would be something great to achieve," Ochoa said. "And, of course, my eyes are on that."

The way she has played in 2008, few would bet against her. Ochoa has won four of five events - by a combined 34 shots - and enters this week's Ginn Open in Reunion, Fla., looking for a fourth straight victory for the first time in her career.

"I like my chances," she said.

Annika Sorenstam is the last to win four straight on tour, accomplishing the feat in 2001. She clearly was the top player in the world back then, a title she held until Ochoa took over a year ago. But Ochoa has won 18 titles the past 24 months to solidify her role as No. 1.

"The roles are a little reversed," Sorenstam said. "I'm chasing her and I'm not giving up by any means. She's playing fantastic golf. She's really, really been consistent, driving and putting well, winning majors and winning consecutive tournaments.

"But inside of me I believe there's still a way that I can beat her, and I'm just looking forward to this week."

Added Ochoa: "I don't mind that a lot of players are trying to catch me. It feels good to be in the No. 1 position. I'd like to stay there hopefully for a long time."