HALF MOON BAY, California, Oct 2, 2008 (AFP) - Lorena Ochoa, the two-time reigning champion of this tournamnt, hopes to defend her title on a new track when the Samsung World Championship begins play Thursday.

After four years at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, this one million dollar event has moved north 500 miles to the Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links.

Ochoa has posted seven victories this season, the latest at the Navistar Classic last week, when she won in a playoff.

The popular Mexican is looking to become the first player to win the Samsung in three consecutive years.

'It's very tough, having the best players. And I am just really happy to be here and have an opportunity to defend my title,' Ochoa said.

Annika Sorenstam (1995-96, 2002, 2004-05), Juli Inkster (1997-98, 2000) and Beth Daniel (1980-81, 1994) are the only players who have won this event at least three times.

'I think it's fantastic that the LPGA is here and having a chance to stage the 20 best players in the world in a venue like this. So I'm really looking forward to the week,' Sorenstam said.

Last year, Ochoa shot four rounds in the 60s and finished at 18-under-par 270, four strokes better than Mi Hyun Kim.

Also in the 20-player field Inkster, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Song-Hee Kim, Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng and Karrie Webb.