Karrie wins first LPGA title this season
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2002 Wegmans Rochester International | Wrap | 24 Jun 2002
Good on you Karrie! Many were wondering what was happening with her game after a slow start to the year, but she had it under control it would seem. Admittedly Webb had not won, but it was hardly a shocker, with top tens at the Nabisco and the LPGA and two other top tens, but I imagine her amazing success over the years has created almost undue expectations.
Karrie had started the last round five behind the in-form Mi Hyun Kim, but it may well have been Webb’s finish on Saturday that won her the tournament. Struggling throughout her third round, she was somehow able to reel off three birdies to finish that round and that kept her within striking distance and probably gave her the confidence to take up the battle again on Sunday. Kim still had a four shot lead with five to play but Webb’s two late birdies and her own three bogies in the last five holes including the last when tied with Webb cost her a chance of a playoff at worst. Se Ri Pak was third and Julie Inkster fourth.
Webb has been working on swing changes over the last few months. Apparently she is making these changes to ensure the longevity of her game. It has taken a bit longer for the changes to kick in, but her form, especially on Thursday and again today, highlighted the fact that she is nearly back to her best. What a time for it to return also with the US Open just over a week away.
Webb won $US180,000 taking her earnings for the year to nearly $US400,000 and all of a sudden she is back in sixth place on the money list. The way the form lines are shaping up right now, we are in for one very interesting US Open with Webb, Sorenstam, Pak, Inkster, and Diaz all in good form and the chances do not stop there.
Rachel Teske was 9th, Jane Crafter 23rd, Shani Waugh 29th, Karen Pearce 42nd, and Michelle Ellis 61st.
