Ochoa tells Filipinos: Don’t stop learning

MANILA, Philippines — After seeing the Philippines’ top pro and lady amateur players, former world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa predicted seeing a Filipino doing well in the US LPGA in the next five years.

“I’m pretty sure that in the near future, three, four, five years, you will see names (of Filipinos) in the LPGA,” Ochoa said at the conclusion of her clinic with mainstays of the ICTSI stable Monday at The Country Club in Laguna.

“I think that’s the idea,” the Mexican, who retired at the top of her game at 28 to build a family, added.

“(But) nothing is going to happen quickly. Everything is a process. You need to learn and you need to mature and get a lot of experience playing.”

Ochoa flew in sans fanfare over the weekend to conduct the clinic, baring her secrets in preparing for tournaments. Her trip here is her first golfing activity ever since calling it quits in 2010 and comfortably making it into the sport’s Hall of Fame.

“This has been a very special trip,” said Ochoa, a native of Guadalajara in Mexico. Ochoa was impressed at the talent she saw, saying “all of them are good.”