Webb heads LPGA money list with Evian victory
BY Bruce Young | Ladies European Tour | 2006 Evian Masters | Wrap | 30 Jul 2006
Karrie Webb’s renaissance in 2006 continued today when she unleashed a powerful late finish at the Evian Masters to capture her third LPGA title of the year and further confirm her place amongst the absolute elite of the game.
There was perhaps even further justice in the win as it was at this event in 2004 when Webb withdrew after her clubs were lost in transit from London at a time when she had reached a particularly low point in her career. She immediately flew home to Australia at that time with both her game and mindset in need of attention.
That must now seem a long time ago as 2006 has seen the 31-year-old Queenslander back playing and contending nearly to the level she was in that marvellous era between 1996 and 2002. The catalysts for her dramatic turnaround can essentially be put down to three things. Firstly hard work in rebuilding a swing that had led her astray, secondly a shot that reverberated around the golfing world at the Kraft Nabisco and finally perhaps most importantly a decision to enjoy rather than just endure her golfing career.
That shot was of course at the Kraft Nabisco from 116 yards at the 72nd hole which she holed to eventually get into the playoff with Ochoa and then go on to win her seventh major.
While the Evian Masters is not a major on the LPGA Tour it may as well have been. Fields do not come much stronger than that assembled this week and the prizemoney on offer (US$3 million) is the second largest purse in the female game. Webb won US$450,000 for her victory and moves to the top of the LPGA Tour’s ADT money list in 2006 with US1.647 million.
Webb had worked herself into a one shot lead over Michelle Wie as they entered the final round. Wie had finished runner up to Paula Creamer in this event twelve months ago and while many were hoping that Webb could carry on with her great form there were no doubt many looking to see Wie put her John Deere tribulations well and truly behind her with her first win on the LPGA Tour.
Wie appeared to be on track to do just that when she eagled the 9th and then birdied the 11th to take a two shot lead over Webb and Davies with seven holes to play. Webb birdied the 12th then added further birdies at the two par threes including a twenty footer at the 17th to draw two clear of both Wie and Davies.
Webb knew the pressure was on her opponents to try and eagle the last and so she played conservatively. “I took the bogey out of play. If somebody made eagle then they deserved to be in a playoff with me,” said Webb, who carded par on the final hole. “I was not going to hand it to anyone.”
Both Wie and Davies birdied the last but it was not enough to stop the Australian winning her 33rd career title. Davies had a chance from just ten feet after a brilliant second but was not able to convert the putt that would have taken her into a playoff.
Wie was again a runner up but clearly it is just a matter of time before she wins a title. Next week at the Women’s British Open might provide a great chance and stage for her to do just that. She is certainly collecting money. In just six events on the LPGA Tour this season she has earned more than US$700,000 – not bad for a part time schoolgirl and part time golfer.
Laura Davies has not won in Evian les Baines but has often played this tournament and this course well and today she added another good finish. Davies’ conqueror today heaped praises on her with Webb suggesting it was the best she had seen Davies play in a long time.
Other Australians in the field were Rachel Hetherington and Wendy Doolan, both previous winners of the event but they were not contenders this week. Shani Waugh led early but eventually finished 41st, Rachel Hetherington was 58th and Wendy Doolan 68th.
This field and many others now head to Royal Lytham St Annes near Blackpool in England for this coming week’s Weetabix Women’s British Open.
Photo – LET
