How the magic of St Andrews rubbed off on fast-rising Ochoa

FOR Lorena Ochoa, as for many of golf's chosen ones, life turned a corner in St Andrews. As the world's leading female golfer strives to become the first woman ever to win the Grand Slam – she's seeking her third consecutive major title at the McDonald's LPGA, which starts today at Bulle Rock in Maryland – Ochoa grasps how her standing in the game was changed forever on the Old Course.

Winning the Ricoh British Women's Open over the most famous links in world golf elevated Ochoa's international profile and established the young Mexican as Annika Sorenstam's heir apparent. "Sometimes I think it could only have been a dream that I won my first major at the home of golf," reflected the world No1.

"There couldn't have been a better setting for me to achieve my goal of winning a major title. To have my family around me to share in the celebrations at such a historic venue made it all the more perfect. The replica of the trophy sits proudly on my mantelpiece and the memories of my win at St Andrews will live with me for ever."

Asked if she could pinpoint the moment when she crossed the bridge from tour player to sporting icon, Ochoa replied: "I think it's been a process, just like improving with my game, (but it was] probably after the British. Because I won the British (at St Andrews] and then my brother keeps saying, 'People are becoming crazy here in Mexico.' I went home after the British, and when I went home, it was a circus."

A kind and modest young woman with deep religious beliefs who happens to be a phenomenal golfer – she's been described as a cross between Tiger Woods and Mother Teresa – it would be impossible to think of any other dominant athlete who is less tainted by the modern obsession with celebrity than Ochoa. Perhaps, partly because of her nationality, she's less fussed over in America and Europe than, say, Sorenstam or Michelle Wie. On the other hand, her indifference to fame has also provided a welcome shield against its trappings.

Ochoa, 26, is still more likely to be found on the practice range than on the cover of a magazine. "You must always have time to rest and time to practice," she reflected. "You cannot get the time to practice because of doing other things, so if you need to practice for six hours, make sure you have them. We are here because we make putts and we make birdies. That's the only way to do it."

And nobody, in women's golf, does it better than Ochoa. Standing at 5fts 6ins and weighing just over nine stone, Lorena generates astonishing clubhead speed for one so slender. She's first in the LPGA's driving distance stats with average tee shots of 271 yards. She leads the way with a low scoring average of 68.56 and hits more greens in regulation than any other player. Not only that, but she plays at a brisk lick, is creative around the greens and has the mental toughness every champion needs to win.

This season she's played in nine events, won six and earned nearly $2 million. Her successes in 2008 have been so emphatic she's finished a combined 38 strokes lower than her opponents. At the LPGA's season opener, the HSBC Women's Champions, she won by 11 shots. And in March and April, Ochoa won four tournaments in a row, including the season's first major, the Kraft Nabisco. Little wonder, then, as she prepares for the second, the McDonald's LPGA, Ochoa doesn't shy away from talk of the Grand Slam. "Of course, I think it's possible, and I have it in my head, you know," she said. "These things only happen a few times in your career and here I am. I'm going to make sure I give it a good try."

But there's more to Ochoa than ambition or the joyous brand of golf which also typified the careers of Seve Ballesteros and Arnold Palmer. She was recently named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people on the planet. Her selection was made because of how much she does for others less fortunate than herself. Ochoa's regard for ordinary folk is most often highlighted by her friendliness to the Spanish greenkeeping staff most players on Tour ignore.

Nobody on the LPGA has ever won more money – $12million and rising – more quickly than Ochoa. Almost from the start of her professional career she established a foundation to help children in Mexico. Already the charity has paid for more than 300 scholarships to a school in Guadalajara. Ochoa also funds a programme to treat and support children with cancer. She says one of the forces which drives her on as a golfer is the desire to give back to her community. "The more I can win, the more I can help, so that's a great motivation."

Before each of the press conferences Ochoa gave at St Andrews last summer, she would always look up, smile and say politely: "Hello everybody". There may have been higher profile champions anointed in the Auld Toun, but surely none sweeter.