Lorena Ochoa Mentally Tough Comment

LoJo · 03-02-2009, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by cleo

well, if Lorena keeps saying things like she's mentally tougher than the rest of the players that might be controversial enough to get more ink.

I was pretty surprised by that response by Lorena. Not that she isn't confident enough to think it's true (and might very well BE true), but that she just bluntly answered "Yes" when asked the question.

Normally, players hedge around with a bit more diplomatic way of answering things involving comparisons to others.

Q. Do you think you are mentally tougher than the other players on the Tour?
LORENA OCHOA: Yes.

RainDelay · 03-02-2009, 01:03 PM

I was a little surprised by her answer, as well. Lorena is, without a doubt, one of the nicest people I have ever met. She goes out of her way to help promote the LPGA and women's golf in general. In 2007, the USGA held the US Women's Open banquet down in Pine Needles. The banquet was held on the Tuesday night of the tournament. There were maybe a total of 10 players who were in attendance. One of those players was Lorena. The #1 ranked player in the world wanted to be there to help support the USGA and the the Open. I can't tell you how impressed I was that she chose to attend. It may not sound like a big deal to those reading this, but I can assure you, it meant the world to the USGA and all of those attending the banquet. She lost that year to Kerr, but she set the tone for what type of professional she is. Classy. She is probably the most respected player (by the other players) out on tour. You don't get to be #1 in the world, without being mentally tough. I'm sure in hindsight, she may have rephrased her answer. It would take alot more than this for there to be any issue between Lorena and the rest of the tour.

MarinePaul · 03-02-2009, 01:24 PM

I thought it was an honest answer to the question. Maybe not the most "PC," but who cares? She's probably right.

Buzzer · 03-02-2009, 03:11 PM

Hey Baby, if ya got it, flaunt it.............and Lorena's definitely got IT.......

It's called "intimidation"....a big part of the game. Ask any PGA player what they feel when Tiger walks into the locker room. It's also called "killer instinct".......

Annika had it. Tiger and Lorena have it.

Good answer, Lorena....make 'em think.

Viva Annika

greentee · 03-02-2009, 05:25 PM

.

Q. Do you think you are mentally tougher than the other players on the Tour?
LORENA OCHOA: Yes.

To me mental toughness means focus, when it comes to the complicated and sometimes complex game of pro golf.

This is what I think Lorena was thinking when asked the question... and I also think she was not thinking she was more mentally tougher on or toward other players, just more on her self internally.

The most focused player will win more often, and she is winning gangbusters... that is super mental toughness.... and she has it in spades. Annika had it, and some of the top players have it. But to be consistently strong focused/mental toughness on a super high self discipline trip each event, is dam tough. Her wins bear out her answer as honest and true, no matter how some may view it from odd angles.

The lady is upfront, and straight to the point, and true to herself. Anyways, to me it seems hard to inturperet her statement in any other way then above, pure and simple.

MarinePaul · 03-02-2009, 05:52 PM

I agree, Greentee. I don't see any negative comments made about any other players in her answer, only a candid response to a question asked of her.

ctmurray · 03-02-2009, 08:34 PM

These players look very serious when on the course, then turn around to be sweeties in the interview. I posted elsewhere on this site. My first impression of Paula Creamer was seeing her play - and it was somewhat negative. She seemed to be having no fun, was POed at her play (yet was playing well), maybe too intense. Then I see her in a interview afterward or on another day, and she is comes across as the nicest person. The camera loves her smile...

So I think these women are mostly intensely focused during play.

Blue · 03-02-2009, 09:18 PM

The above posts have been moved from the Michelle Wie folder.

Putter · 03-03-2009, 12:08 AM

Hey, if Ochoa thinks she's mentally tougher than the other players, why not say so? Like MP said, she didn't diss any other players, just answered honestly. I guess it'll take someone else to prove her wrong. I'm sure if Annika had been asked the same question she'd have answered yes also.

LoJo · 03-03-2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Putter

Hey, if Ochoa thinks she's mentally tougher than the other players, why not say so? Like MP said, she didn't diss any other players, just answered honestly. I guess it'll take someone else to prove her wrong. I'm sure if Annika had been asked the same question she'd have answered yes also.

I didn't say she "dissed" anyone with her one word "YES" answer to the question. I was surprised she was so blunt in the reply. It's not a matter of answering honestly...obviously, she was answering what she honestly believes.

Look....I'm not trying to make a big deal about Lorena's answer, but competitors generally treat each other with great respect, even to the point of going overboard in heaping praise on them. "She's a great player and has a lot of experience, so it's going to be challenging tomorrow in the final round"..... (even though I have a 10 stroke lead).

You said if Annika had been asked the same question she'd have answered "yes" also. No....absolutely not. Annika never answered a question relating to her fellow competitors which would have put herself above them. Never, never. Annika would have politely suggested that she has worked on her focus and her game, but all the players have great games and have worked hard and she hopes she can win, blah, blah, blah.

I'd guess I've heard or read hundreds of interviews/articles with questions asked of Annika. The closest I ever heard her to showing any sort of overt confidence (publicly) is when she was asked by Charlie Rymer in 2002, just after she won her 11th LPGA tournament that season (13th worldwide)..."Do you think you can do this again next season?" ... And, her answer -- with a big smile -- was ..."Why not?"

As I said...no big deal with Lorena's honest "yes" answer. I was just a bit surprised.

03-02-2009, 01:24 PM	#3
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,003	I thought it was an honest answer to the question. Maybe not the most "PC," but who cares? She's probably right. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

03-02-2009, 05:25 PM	#5
greentee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,484 Images: 4	. Q. Do you think you are mentally tougher than the other players on the Tour? LORENA OCHOA: Yes. To me mental toughness means focus, when it comes to the complicated and sometimes complex game of pro golf. This is what I think Lorena was thinking when asked the question... and I also think she was not thinking she was more mentally tougher on or toward other players, just more on her self internally. The most focused player will win more often, and she is winning gangbusters... that is super mental toughness.... and she has it in spades. Annika had it, and some of the top players have it. But to be consistently strong focused/mental toughness on a super high self discipline trip each event, is dam tough. Her wins bear out her answer as honest and true, no matter how some may view it from odd angles. The lady is upfront, and straight to the point, and true to herself. Anyways, to me it seems hard to inturperet her statement in any other way then above, pure and simple. __________________ ... I am not a tree, I am a tee... hit me, ah... wait a minute...

03-02-2009, 05:52 PM	#6
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,003	I agree, Greentee. I don't see any negative comments made about any other players in her answer, only a candid response to a question asked of her. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

03-03-2009, 12:08 AM	#9
Putter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,296 Images: 26	Hey, if Ochoa thinks she's mentally tougher than the other players, why not say so? Like MP said, she didn't diss any other players, just answered honestly. I guess it'll take someone else to prove her wrong. I'm sure if Annika had been asked the same question she'd have answered yes also. __________________ Putter

03-03-2009, 04:36 PM	#10
LoJo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Golf Course Posts: 2,217 Images: 1	Originally Posted by Putter Hey, if Ochoa thinks she's mentally tougher than the other players, why not say so? Like MP said, she didn't diss any other players, just answered honestly. I guess it'll take someone else to prove her wrong. I'm sure if Annika had been asked the same question she'd have answered yes also. I didn't say she "dissed" anyone with her one word "YES" answer to the question. I was surprised she was so blunt in the reply. It's not a matter of answering honestly...obviously, she was answering what she honestly believes. Look....I'm not trying to make a big deal about Lorena's answer, but competitors generally treat each other with great respect, even to the point of going overboard in heaping praise on them. "She's a great player and has a lot of experience, so it's going to be challenging tomorrow in the final round"..... (even though I have a 10 stroke lead). You said if Annika had been asked the same question she'd have answered "yes" also. No....absolutely not. Annika never answered a question relating to her fellow competitors which would have put herself above them. Never, never. Annika would have politely suggested that she has worked on her focus and her game, but all the players have great games and have worked hard and she hopes she can win, blah, blah, blah. I'd guess I've heard or read hundreds of interviews/articles with questions asked of Annika. The closest I ever heard her to showing any sort of overt confidence (publicly) is when she was asked by Charlie Rymer in 2002, just after she won her 11th LPGA tournament that season (13th worldwide)..."Do you think you can do this again next season?" ... And, her answer -- with a big smile -- was ..."Why not?" As I said...no big deal with Lorena's honest "yes" answer. I was just a bit surprised.

03-02-2009, 12:29 PM	#1
LoJo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Golf Course Posts: 2,217 Images: 1	Lorena Ochoa Mentally Tough Comment Originally Posted by cleo well, if Lorena keeps saying things like she's mentally tougher than the rest of the players that might be controversial enough to get more ink. I was pretty surprised by that response by Lorena. Not that she isn't confident enough to think it's true (and might very well BE true), but that she just bluntly answered "Yes" when asked the question. Normally, players hedge around with a bit more diplomatic way of answering things involving comparisons to others. Q. Do you think you are mentally tougher than the other players on the Tour? LORENA OCHOA: Yes.

03-02-2009, 01:03 PM	#2
RainDelay Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States Posts: 151	I was a little surprised by her answer, as well. Lorena is, without a doubt, one of the nicest people I have ever met. She goes out of her way to help promote the LPGA and women's golf in general. In 2007, the USGA held the US Women's Open banquet down in Pine Needles. The banquet was held on the Tuesday night of the tournament. There were maybe a total of 10 players who were in attendance. One of those players was Lorena. The #1 ranked player in the world wanted to be there to help support the USGA and the the Open. I can't tell you how impressed I was that she chose to attend. It may not sound like a big deal to those reading this, but I can assure you, it meant the world to the USGA and all of those attending the banquet. She lost that year to Kerr, but she set the tone for what type of professional she is. Classy. She is probably the most respected player (by the other players) out on tour. You don't get to be #1 in the world, without being mentally tough. I'm sure in hindsight, she may have rephrased her answer. It would take alot more than this for there to be any issue between Lorena and the rest of the tour.

03-02-2009, 03:11 PM	#4
Buzzer Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hilton Head, SC Posts: 2,831 Images: 13	Hey Baby, if ya got it, flaunt it.............and Lorena's definitely got IT....... It's called "intimidation"....a big part of the game. Ask any PGA player what they feel when Tiger walks into the locker room. It's also called "killer instinct"....... Annika had it. Tiger and Lorena have it. Good answer, Lorena....make 'em think. Viva Annika

03-02-2009, 08:34 PM	#7
ctmurray Donating Member Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2010. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,176	These players look very serious when on the course, then turn around to be sweeties in the interview. I posted elsewhere on this site. My first impression of Paula Creamer was seeing her play - and it was somewhat negative. She seemed to be having no fun, was POed at her play (yet was playing well), maybe too intense. Then I see her in a interview afterward or on another day, and she is comes across as the nicest person. The camera loves her smile... So I think these women are mostly intensely focused during play.

03-02-2009, 09:18 PM	#8
Blue Forum Moderator Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7,650 Images: 6	The above posts have been moved from the Michelle Wie folder.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode