Webb the one to beat: Davies
FORGET world No.1 Annika Sorenstam, resurgent Australian Karrie Webb is the golfer to beat in 2007.
That’s the opinion of Englishwoman Laura Davies after Webb surged back into the sport’s upper echelon last year.
After a couple of lean seasons by her standards Webb won five times in 2006, including a seventh major at the Nabisco Championship, to finish second to Mexican Lorena Ochoa on the money list with over $2.7 million in earnings.
Currently ranked third in the world behind Sorenstam and Ochoa, Webb has targeted a return to the top of the pecking order this year and Davies - herself a former world No.1 - likes the Queenslander’s chances.
“I was looking at the odds on her to win the LPGA money list, not that we’re allowed to bet on it, but I noticed she was nine-to-one and that seems a very generous price,” Davies said prior to a practice round at Royal Sydney today, the scene for this week’s Women’s Australian Open.
“Obviously Annika’s the favourite and Lorena Ochoa’s the second favourite, but I think Webby’s the one to beat this year.”
Webb herself has clearly regained her self belief after the difficulties of 2004 and 2005.
After turning professional in 1994, Webb enjoyed a rapid rise and was the game’s undisputed best player in 1999 and 2000.
But she freely admits it all came a bit too easily, simply relying on her natural talent to win tournaments and contend each week.
When she began to lose form, the 32 year old wasn’t prepared and didn’t have a plan in place to work her way back.
Despite the thousands of golf balls she was hitting on the range, ultimately it was one shot at the Nabisco event that enabled her to turn around her flagging career.
Starting the final round seven shots behind Ochoa, Webb holed out from 116 yards for eagle on the 72nd hole to force a play-off before defeating the Mexican on the first extra hole.
It ended a winless streak nearing two years and had an instant impact.
Webb would claim four more victories, three runners-up cheques and five other top 10s in her final 17 tournaments, finishing just behind Ochoa in player-of-the-year reckoning.
“It was a big turning point for me,” she said. “The enjoyment I felt winning that tournament was the most I’ve ever felt in my career.
“The way I handled myself that day gave me the belief that I was on the right track.
“Once I won it freed me up to just go and trust that … I built on that for the year.”
“I think I have the ability to be the best player in the world again,” she said.
AAP