Lorena Ochoa - Impact on Golf and World

While watching the LPGA Tour and marveling at the proficiency of Lorena Ochoa, consider one other point. Her impact on golf, on the world, goes far beyond her status on the leaderboard.

In a recent Time Magazine cover story, Ochoa was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Right next to the likes of the Dali Lama, Vladimir Putin, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain and George Bush.

We’re not talking about the most influential athlete, or the most influential woman. We’re talking about the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

That’s a pretty weighty title for someone who is only 26 years old and could have her most important accomplishments ahead of her. But her influence on people is already astounding.

She funds a school in her hometown in Mexico. She is a national hero. She is inspirational.

Just how much influence does she have? A quick look at the recent Golfweek All-American selections should provide a clue. Of the 10 women selected as the best collegiate golfers in the country, four are Hispanic.

The leaderboards on the LPGA Tour have been dominated in recent years by Korean and other Asian names. The trend could be changing quickly. One of the most influential people in the world has started a movement.

Now that is real change … not just oratorical rhetoric.