LPGA notes

Ochoa arrives with new caddie

Lorena Ochoa, the tour's leading money-winner and one of the favorites this week, will be working with a new caddie, Adam Woodward, when the tournament begins tomorrow.

The change was made necessary by quirky misfortune. Ochoa's full-time caddie, Dave Brooker, suffered a broken left foot two weeks ago in Morelia, Mexico. He was injured while playing in the informal soccer match that traditionally follows the third round of the Corona Classic. Ochoa's coach, Rafael Alarcon, took over bag duty for the final round two weeks ago.

Woodward previously worked with Maria Hjorth and Ji Young Oh.

Rain could linger through tomorrow

The wet weather that cast a soggy blanket over yesterday's practice rounds seems likely to loiter along the lower James River for a few more days. An 80 percent chance of rain is forecast for today with a 40 percent chance for tomorrow.

"Hopefully, it will stop raining," said tour player Brittany Lincicome. "I know how much hard work they've put in this week to get the golf course ready. It's heartbreaking for us, as players, to see how much rain the course is taking and to know how hard they're going to have to work now on top of how hard they've already worked for the past year."

Michelle Wie, on who might have an advantage if wet weather persists and the course remains soggy: "Maybe the player with the best rain gear."

Golf Channel deal should boost LPGA

The LPGA and the Golf Channel have reached a 10-year agreement, effective in 2010, that gives the cable network coverage rights to virtually every LPGA event, including the Solheim Cup. The Golf Channel will provide Thursday-Friday coverage of those few events -- the U.S. Open and the Kraft Nabisco, for instance -- that currently receive weekend coverage from the major broadcast networks.

The Golf Channel will pay an undisclosed rights fee for such access -- a significant development for a tour that since 2008 has lost three tournaments to the sour economy. The LPGA, which in the past has paid for much of its television coverage, is believed to be the first U.S.-based women's sports entity to be paid a television rights fee.

More important than the rights fee, said LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens, is a permanent television address. Bivens told reporters: "It's very difficult for our core, ardent fans, even our best fans, to find out where we are [on the television menu]."

Michelob Ultra Open television coverage will be available on ESPN2 Friday (2-4 p.m.), Saturday (2-4 p.m.) and Sunday (3-5 p.m.).

Divots

The tournament has produced a new winner in each of its previous renditions. The 2009 field includes four of the six former champions: Suzann Pettersen (2007), Karrie Webb (2006), Cristie Kerr (2005) and Se Ri Pak (2004). Reigning champion Annika Sorenstam has retired from competitive golf, and 2003 winner Grace Park is not entered this week. -- Vic Dorr Jr.