Colorado Golf Mag Puts Lorena Ochoa's Face On Religious Image

An illustration in the current issue of Colorado AvidGolfer magazine depicts Our Lady of Guadalupe with LPGA golfer Lorena Ochoa's face in place of the Virgin Mary's, "stirring some heated feelings," according to Lane Lyon of KMGH-ABC. Magazine subscriber Ricardo Bracho: "It's very offensive. ... People need to be aware and some things are just off limits." Editor Jon Rizzi, in a statement, said that the intent was to "promote an accomplished golfer, not to offend anyone." Rizzi: "Because the piece was so overwhelmingly positive ... we created a clearly iconic image for our illustration. ... We certainly did not intend to show disrespect to anyone." Lyon noted Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patron Saint of Mexico, is "deeply important and respected by many Mexicans and Catholics" and the image is "held as a sacred, religious symbol" (THEDENVERCHANNEL.com, 2/18).