Ochoa's fall?

Lorena Ochoa's last appearances have been disappointing and she needs good results desperately, especially in the season's first major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, or she could say goodbye to the first position of the Rolex Rankings.

The Mexican became number 1 in March 2007.

In 2006 Lorena was the player to beat; her 6 victories, 20 top tens, "Player of the Year" award and Vare Trophy were enough to dethrone Annika Sörenstam, considered by many as the greatest femanle golfer in history.

Four seasons later and with 27 titles, no one would imagine Ochoa's mess, which might led her to lose the position she's held for 154 weeks (2.9 years). The Mexican super star needs to give her very best this week because if Japanese and world number 3, Ai Miyazato, or South Korean and number 2 in the Rolex Rankings, Jiyai Shin, win the Kraft Nabisco they'll have enough points to claim the first position and start a new reign in women's golf.

But, how's that Lorena is in such trouble? The answer can be found in the 2009 season, when she only grabbed 3 titles, being the Navistar LPGA Classic the most successful one, since she finished with a 4 shot lead. Further more, she showed a temperamental side, mainly in the MasterCard Classic, where she slammed her clubs after bad shots and scorned local media after the 3rd round, which by the way, was a mess.

If that wasn't enough, she changed her putting routine and fired long time caddie, David Brooker, who had been with her in the most important moments of her career, including her first Grand Slam win the Women's British Open in St. Andrews' Old Course.

To all this we have to add her personal life, lets remember that she had to prepare her wedding and move to another city; besides, she appeared repeatedly in Quien and Hola, socialite magazines from Mexico.

So, what's going on with Lorena?, there isn't a clear or easy answer, but some think she's reached the pinnacle of her career and it's time to go down; others say she just needs to adjust her newlywed life and try to combine it with her golf super star status; while other group thinks her new routines and the caddie change have been costly.

No matter which are the true reasons, the thing is Lorena will face one of the most challenging episodes of her career this week. She needs to show temper, confidence and personality to overcome her situation and defend her position as women's golf leader.