Lorena Ochoa, who fell short of a record-tying fifth straight LPGA victory on Sunday, will try to launch a new winning streak in the Michelob Ultra Open starting on Thursday.

The Mexican star settled for a tie for fifth in Oklahoma last week, as Paula Creamer won in a playoff over veteran Juli Inkster.

But Ochoa still boasts five wins in six starts this season, and has to be a favorite to add another at the $2.2-million Michelob.

Last year at this event, Ochoa finished in a three-way tie for 20th with Sun Young Yoo and Natalie Gulbis, 1-under-par for the tournament and nine strokes behind winner Suzann Pettersen of Norway.

Pettersen defeated Jee-Young Lee at the third hole of a sudden-death playoff after finishing at 10-under for the tournament.

Repeating will be a tough task thanks to a field that includes the top 18 money winners on this year's LPGA Tour.

"It's really exciting to be back," said Pettersen, 25. "I've got great memories from last year. I also feel my game has improved a lot in the last 12 months, so I'm coming here full of confidence."

Also in the field are Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam and Creamer.

One week after losing to Sorenstam in a playoff, Creamer bogeyed the 18th hole at the SemGroup Championship last Sunday and wound up in a playoff when Inkster drained an 18-foot birdie.

Creamer twice made birdie putts in the playoff, making an 8-footer on 10 for the win.

Michelle Wie, the 18-year-old who has had a troubled 18-months, will play in the tournament for a second time.

Plagued by a wrist injury, she has spent the last month practicing with coach David Leadbetter in Florida.

"I'm excited to be back here," Wie said. "The wrist is OK and it's nice to be back on the LPGA Tour. I'm just thinking about the last 18 months as a bit of a dip and now I'm ready to get going again."

AFP