Ochoa trying to find form, Hull wants to keep it going at Safeway Classic

Aug 21, 2008 - 10:24 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Lorena Ochoa looks to defend her title and Katherine Hull will try to build on a breakthrough victory when the Safeway Classic starts Friday at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

Last year, Ochoa finished at 12-under-par 204 for a five-stroke victory. She entered the final round with a one-stroke lead but pulled away for her third consecutive win.

This season has been more of the same for the world's top-ranked player, but she is in a but of a slump, if you can call it that.

Ochoa has posted an LPGA Tour-leading six wins this season, but her last came in May at the Sybase Classic. Ochoa still tops the money list with just over $2.3 million and has 13 top-10 finishes in 15 starts.

She is coming off a tie for fourth last week at the Canadian Women's Open, where she also was the defending champion.

Hull closed last week with a 69 to hold off Se Ri Pak by one and keep Ochoa from repeating. It was Hull's first career title and has boosted her confidence heading into this week.

"I'm still kind of on cloud nine," she said. "I'm trying to obviously take the confidence from last week into this week and trying not to let the expectations get too high.

"I feel pretty good about my game and I'm hoping to have another good finish this week."

The $1.7 million event also will feature Annika Sorenstam, Yani Tseng, Suzann Pettersen and Paula Creamer.

First prize is $255,000.