Hurst nips struggling Ochoa and Tseng for win in Mexico

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HUIXQUILUCAN, Mexico (AP) -- Pat Hurst shot a 4-under 68 Sunday to beat top-ranked Lorena Ochoa and Yani Tseng by one stroke at the MasterCard Classic on the LPGA Tour.

Hurst sank a long putt on the 18th green at the tough BosqueReal Country Club to finish at 10-under 206. No. 1 ranked Ochoa (69) had three bogeys and six birdies, while Tseng (70) had three bogeys and five birdies.

"The 17th and 18th coming in was very exciting," said Hurst, who won for the first time since 2006. "I just tried not to get ahead of myself out there, and we made it happen."

Tseng had led until the last hole.

"I just feel really sad," she said, wiping away tears. "I just don't know what to say."

Ochoa was also disappointed, saying she had a "complicated day" and that her frustration at not being able to beat this course got the best of her.

The steep and scrubby course outside Mexico City has always been tough for Ochoa. She has yet to win the MasterCard Classic in five attempts. Last year, she opened with a 4-over 76 -- her worst score in nearly a year -- and ended up tying for eighth.

But Ochoa's fans were convinced this year would be different. They packed the sun-drenched hillsides to watch the Mexican native play. And as she walked onto the 18th green, chants of "Mexico!" and "Lorena!" filled the scrubby valleys.

Some of Ochoa's most enthusiastic fans are pre-teen, pony-tailed Mexican girls who follow her career as if she were a pop star.

Ochoa still has two other chances for victory on her home turf this year. She will be back in Mexico next month for the Corona Championship in Morelia. The Lorena Ochoa Invitational is in November in Guadalajara, Ochoa's hometown.

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