CLIFTON, New Jersey • Lorena Ochoa overtook Sarah Lee to defend her title at the Sybase Classic and become the first player to defend a title this season yesterday.

Trailing by two shots entering the final round, Ochoa rallied with a four-under-par 68 to post a winning total of 18-under 270.

“I think the key was to get a good start and make a few birdies on the front and you get a good rhythm for the back,” Ochoa said.

“So, you know, it was a great day. It’s always good to get that first win with your name being up there No. 1 and better that I’m going home on Tuesday to celebrate with my family.”

Lee fired a seven-under-par 65 on Saturday but was unable to get anything going while playing with the world’s No. 1 player.

Lee settled for a 73 with just one birdie and a pair of bogeys.

“I did my best today, and, you know, it’s been a little bad luck, you know, starting second hole,” Lee said. “But I just keep hanging there and I keep trying to strike ball well but I didn’t make any putts.

“Lorena played really good and it’s been fun to play with her.”

At 15-under 273, Lee finished in second, three shots back of Ochoa, who won for the first time since taking over the No. 1 ranking from Annika Sorenstam a month ago.

She had not played poorly, finishing second, fifth and 20th over her previous three events, but she had to wait until yesterday for her second win of the season.

“I think I’m ready for a major,” Ochoa said. “It’s something that we all want to get. Hopefully it happens this year and not only one time, hopefully a few times. I’m going to try hard.”

Ochoa carded four birdies in a bogey-free round and made her move around the turn. She recorded her first birdie at the fifth and added birdies at Nos. 8, 9 and 11 at Upper Montclair Country Club.

The 25-year-old Ochoa won by two strokes over Hee-Won Han and Kyeong Bae last year at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, New York, this tournament’s home for 17 years which currently is undergoing renovations.