Tiger Woods named AP's male Athlete of the Year; Ochoa gets women's award

Putting another feather in his cap after a brilliant 2006 campaign, Tiger Woods was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. Woods outdistanced San Diego Charger running back Ladanian Tomlinson for the honor …

Despite taking time off following the death of his father, Woods was pure focus on the golf course, winning eight times, including six in a row, as well as two more majors …

Meanwhile, Mexican golfer Lorena Ochoa received the AP Female Athlete of the Year award. Ochoa, who won six times last year, received 220 points in voting from sports editors across the nation. This is twice as many as 2006 Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo …

Woods and Ochoa’s victories mark the first time in 13 years since the male and female athletes played the same sport. Michael Jordan and Sheryl Swoopes topped AP’s list in 1993.