Ochoa has OSU teacher

Way down in Mexico, the world’s hottest golfer has an Oklahoma State connection.

Lorena Ochoa, who this week is trying to tie the LPGA record with her fifth straight victory, has had former OSU great Rafael Alarcon as her swing coach since she was 8 years old.

Alarcon was a three-time All-American (1978-80)  under former Cowboys coach Mike Holder.

Alarcon did not accompany Ochoa to this week’s SemGroup Championship at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow. But the two work closely whenever Ochoa takes a break and returns to Guadalajara.

“In the off-season we spend every day together in January and February, and every time I go home,” Ochoa said of Alarcon. “I saw him three days last week. Every time I go home he’s there. He’s waiting for me. He always arranges his schedule with my schedule. We first have a good talk to see what happened the last three weeks with me, how things are going, everything, and also outside the golf course. And I will see him. He comes not very often. I’m not a player that likes to make changes once the week start.

“I think he was at six tournaments last year with me. He went to Palm Springs. Whenever I need him, it’s just very easy. I just call him and I say, ‘Help,’ and he will come the next day. We have a great relationship and we understand each other very well.