Ochoa Wins Inaugural Mission Hills Star Trophy

HAIKOU, China, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Scotland's Colin Montgomerie surrendered a spot in a playoff in bizarre circumstances on Sunday, handing Lorena Ochoa victory at the Mission Hills Star Trophy.

Former world No. 2 Montgomerie appeared headed to a playoff, until he was penalized two strokes for an infraction at the 16th hole on the Blackstone course.

The tournament director David Parkin ruled that Montgomerie should be penalized, because his caddie moved an advertising sign on the fairway that was blocking the player's second shot.

"Under the conditions of this competition, which are given to every player, the advertising signs (are) temporary immovable instructions," explained Parkin.

"You can't move them. Unfortunately for Colin, his caddie has helped in the movement of this board. As soon as he moved that, it's a two-stroke penalty, under our conditions."

An angry Montgomerie stormed off to the adjacent hotel after learning of the ruling, stopping briefly on the way to accept condolences from Greg Norman.

Without the penalty, Montgomerie and Ochoa would have had a sudden-death play-off for the $1.28 million (USD) winner-take-all mixed event.

Instead, Ochoa, the former women's world No.1 who semi-retired in May, celebrated.

She sank a six foot birdie at the last to shoot 71 for a four-under-par 142 total.

The 36-hole tournament was contested by 18 professionals - nine men and nine women.

For information about the Mission Hills Star Trophy, please visit the Sharkwatch » Tournaments section of Shark.com.

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