ANZ Ladies Masters not just the Karrie and Annika show
BY Bruce Young | ALPG Tour | 2004 ANZ Ladies Masters | Preview | 25 Feb 2004
The return of Annika Sorenstam to the ANZ Australian Ladies Masters has the golfing public salivating at the prospect of another Karrie Webb and Sorenstam duel similar to that witnessed in 2002 when Sorenstam edged out Webb at the fourth extra hole of sudden death. Prior to that, Webb had dominated the event for the four previous years winning on each occasion and in fact finishing second in the year prior to the start of that run and last year when she was second again behind Laura Davies
Even though Sorenstam had headed the money list just three months earlier on the LPGA Tour, it was clear that the winner of the playoff that year may well have a psychological edge on the other for what lay ahead and so it proved to be with Sorenstam continuing her domination of ladies golf the following year.
For both it will be the start of their competitive year in 2004. Sorenstam again finished as the leading player on the LPGA Tour and with her profile increased significantly in 2003 as a result of her marvellous performance at the Bank of America Colonial, there will be even greater interest in her appearance on the Gold Coast this year.
Not that the list of possibilities ends with the two aforementioned golfers.
Rachel Teske had her best year in 2003 winning twice and defeating Sorenstam in one of those. In fact in the playoffs she has had with Sorenstam she has a record of 3 to 1. Her seventh place finish on the money list surpassed Webb as the leading Australian for the first time since both have been on the LPGA Tour. Teske’s form here at Royal Pines in recent years is an improvement on her early years. She has not finished outside the top ten in each of her last four starts and is no doubt looking to make a statement early in the 2004 season.
Laura Davies will defend her title she won narrowly last year and with the drama of an appearance at the European Tour’s ANZ Championship behind her and a third placing at the warm up event on the Gold Coast last week, she will again be prominent.
The aforementioned players are the favourites for the event but there will be a lot of interest in other players. Hilary Lunke surprised everyone including herself when she edged out Kelly Robbins and Angela Stanford to win the US Women’s Open and the largest first prize in the history of the Women’s game. She has not done a lot since and with Royal Pines tending to favour the longer hitter she may struggle. Her participation will still however be a source of interest for many.
Australian Lindsey Wright who turned professional six months ago after completing her time at the University of Pepperdine is in the field. She won early in her pro career on the Future’s Tour as did her team-mate at Pepperdine and fellow countrywomen, Katherine Hull.
Another golfer to keep an eye out for is the talented youngster from Canberra Nikki Campbell who has played well in her rookie year in Japan this past year. The Australian Amateur Champion of 2002 looks ready to make a big impact on the game and should do well.
Being a co-sanctioned event with the Ladies European Tour, there are many European Tour players here along USLPGA Tour members keen to get competitive golf under their belt before they head to Tucson in two weeks time for the season opening event on the LPGA. They will however be looking for a confidence boosting start to the season here this week.
It appears on paper as if it is the Annika and Karrie show but there is every reason to believe that the rest of the field do not necessarily see it that way. As has so often been the case at the ANZ Ladies Masters, a fascinating week is in store.
