Lorena Ochoa criticizes LPGA English rule

MEXICO CITY — Lorena Ochoa of Mexico says a new LPGA Tour policy requiring players to be able to communicate in English starting in 2009 is a “little drastic.”

Ochoa, the No. 1 player in women’s golf, says golfers are better judged by their performance.

She was asked at a charity event in her hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico, on Tuesday if she thought the new policy discriminated against international players.

“That is a a very strong word. I wouldn’t want to use it,” said Ochoa, who speaks English. “But I do think it is a little drastic.”

There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour, including 45 players from South Korea.