Golf-Ochoa eager to resume dominance at U.S. Women's Open

By Larry Fine

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania, July 8 (Reuters) - World number one Lorena Ochoa preaches patience but the Mexican said on Wednesday she was eager to resume her accustomed dominance of the LPGA Tour.

Ochoa, who has ruled the women's tour the last three years, has claimed 26 tournament titles including just two majors.

Victory at the U.S. Women's Open, which begins on Thursday at Saucon Valley Country Club, would put her three quarters of the way to a career grand slam after having won the 2007 Women's British Open and last year's Nabisco Kraft.

The Mexican said a career slam was her biggest goal.

"From 1 to 10, 10," Ochoa told reporters on the eve of the U.S. Open.

"Winning majors is what makes you really a good player, and I never won this tournament before, so I'm going to make sure I give myself a good chance and hopefully it happens for me."

Ochoa has had by most measures a great season. She has won twice and added four other top-10 finishes to stand fifth on the LPGA Tour money list with nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in earnings.

For Ochoa, this represents a slide after three successive seasons as Player of the Year, Vare Trophy winner for low scoring average and money leader.