Webb relives miracle shot
FOND memories flooded back for Karrie Webb today as she prepared for the year’s first women’s golf Major starting Friday (AEST).
It was 12 months ago that Webb holed a 116-yard shot for an eagle three at the 72nd hole at Mission Hills CC then claimed the Kraft Nabisco Championship title in a play-off against Mexican star Lorena Ochoa.
“I don’t think a day has passed since then when I haven’t thought about that shot,” said Webb today.
“It was undoubtedly the biggest shot of my career, a real turning point.
“Today, Mikey (Paterson, her caddie) and I were trying to
find the exact spot. It was such a great experience, something you wish could happen again and again. But I am just grateful that it happened once.”
Not only did it give Webb her seventh Major title, and second in the Kraft Nabisco – she also won in 2000 – it also launched the former world No.1 into a career comeback.
She went on to win five times on the LPGA Tour and, this year, she has opened with back-to-back wins in the Women’s Australian Open and the ANZ Ladies Masters on home turf.
She finished third on her first 2007 LPGA start in Hawaii last month and even missing the cut at the Safeway International in Arizona last week has not lessened her belief going into this week’s Kraft Nabisco.
“I had taken a couple of weeks off and it was just a blip,” she said.
“I was caught a little off guard. But this week will be different.
I would say that, at the moment, my confidence is as high as it has ever been. There isn’t quite the same carefree, fearless attitude that I had when I was so much younger.
“But now I have the experience and much more understanding of my golf swing. I feel really good about going into this week. I’ve always loved it here.”
Ochoa won the Safeway title last Sunday and has plenty of motivation to make it back-to-back victories.
Not only would it be a first Major title for the 25-year-old but she would also claim the world No.1 ranking from Annika Sorenstam.
A year ago, Ochoa led after each of the first three rounds before losing in the play-off.
But it proved to be a learning curve and she went on to win six times on the LPGA Tour and just pip Webb for both the money list and the Tours Player of the Year honours.
“I don’t know if it will happen this week but I hope I do become the world No.1 sometime in 2007,” said Ochoa, who has 10 wins in five years on Tour.
“It was a great experience here last year. I dropped a few shots on the final nine holes on the Saturday and that was what really cost me.
“But I was proud of the way I made eagle at the last (she holed a 12-foot putt) to force the play-off. I didn’t win last year – I don’t want to have that feeling again.”
For Sorenstam it is the Majors that still keep her hungry.
“After such a long career I need something to get the blood pumping and I want to win more Majors,” said the 36-year-old who numbers 10 Majors among her 69 LPGA victories.
“The Majors are what get me excited.
“The gap at the top of the world rankings is getting smaller and smaller and Lorena is playing superb golf. But I am very happy with the way I am playing.”
Webb is joined in the field by three more Australians - Rachel Hetherington, who tied for second in 2002, Wendy Doolan and Lindsey Wright.
AAP