INQUIRER Sports

MEXICO CITY ? Women's world golf number one Lorena Ochoa said on Friday that she intends to start a family but also continue her charity work after announcing her retirement from the sport.

"My husband Andres [Conesa] and I wish to start a family," said Ochoa, who announced on Tuesday that she will retire after topping the world rankings for the last three years.

"I took this decision as all the elements have come together.
I am retiring as world number one and with a fortune behind me ? and I always dreamed of ending my career at home in Mexico with the people I love," Ochoa added in reference to her April 29-May 2 swansong at the Tres Marias de Morelia Open on home turf.

"Finally, I want to live and enjoy the simple things of day-to-day life, which I won't be able to do if I carry on playing golf," explained the 28-year-old star and winner of 27 tournaments.

She married Conesa, chief executive of Aeromexico airlines, last December and is now a stepmother of three.

The loss of Ochoa is a major blow to the LPGA, already struggling with fewer tournaments and lost sponsors because of economic setbacks.

The LPGA was hit in 2008 with the retirement of long-time world number one Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, but Sorenstam was 37 when she said farewell to start a family.

Last season, Ochoa edged South Korea Jiyai Shin to claim her fourth consecutive LPGA Player of the Year award.

She won three times in 2009 after collecting seven titles in 2008, eight in 2007 and six in 2006.

Ochoa won her first major title in 2007 at the Women's British Open and added another at the 2008 Kraft Nabisco.