Tee Sheet: Lorena Ochoa's Legacy Isn't Measured in Majors

When Lorena Ochoa announced her retirement at just 28 years old, she shocked the world with her decision. She was in what many would consider her "prime". Just shy of 30, playing on tour for less than a decade (2003 to 2010) and having already accumulated 27 career titles, including two majors, and 109 top-10s.

But her wins aren't what make her remarkable, those are just the added bonuses. Ochoa was and still is one of the most captivating players women's golf has ever seen. She was a stone-cold killer, insanely accurate ball-striker and an even better putter—but off the course, her ability to work a room, to influence the energy of a space and leave her mark is what not only puts her in the G.O.A.T. conversation but places her at the top of the list.

Caption: Lorena Ochoa of Mexico takes part in the First Tee ceremony prior to the start of the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The LPGA Tour returned to Mexico for the first time in eight years for the Riviera Maya Open at the El Camaleón course at Mayakoba, and it's hard to ignore the presence Ochao carries around the place.

Though this isn't her event, she's definitely the hostest with the mostest bouncing around the place. From kicking off the week during Tuesday evening's open ceremony to hitting the first tee shot during the Wednesday pro-am, Ochoa's obligations during the week are plentiful.

She's quite literally shaking hands and kissing babies, like she always has, and she's happy to do it. She told Skratch during the pro-am ahead of the tournament just how meaningful it was to her to see the LPGA in Mexico.

"I was very emotional yesterday because of it all," Ochoa said. "It takes a lot to work together between the tourism, the support from the golf course, the sponsors. And I'm just happy to be here."

You can tell what this week means to her, and for the other eight Mexican golfers competing in the field. Maria Balcazar, Maria Fassi, Isabella Fierro, Fernanda Lira, Gaby Lopez, Andrea Ostos, Carolina Rotzinger and Clarisa Temelo, are all teeing it up this week, a record number of Mexicans competing in the same LPGA event. Five of those eight are in the field on sponsor exemptions, including Temelo, an amateur from Querétaro, Mexico who just finished her freshman season at Arkansas.

Caption: Carolina Rotzinger of Mexico plays her shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba 2025 at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on May 22, 2025 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

These eight women are products of Ochoa paving the way. She was the first from Mexico to win, to be a world No.1, and to achieve Hall of Fame status—she inspired an entire generation to get up and play.

Maria Fassi, born in Pachuca, Mexico, first met Ochoa when she was around 10 years old. "It's everything we always dreamt of as kids. We would come out and watch Lorena play," Fassi said to Golfweek, ahead of the tournament.

This week is Fassi's first time playing in her home country in her professional career.

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"It's [been] seven years since the last one, and then now us be the ones that people are watching and coming out to support, it's just amazing," Fassi said. "It's an honor to represent Mexico everywhere we go."

There's no mistaking Ochoa's legacy, despite her retirement 15 years ago. She's revered amongst the next generation and so many aspire to follow in her footsteps. She shaped the game for so many in the current generation—and this week is a testament to who she is not just what she accomplished.