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 The youngsters who were supposed to make a splash at the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club last month played well, but experience prevailed at the LPGA’s first major of 2006. When all was said and done, it was Karrie Webb — the superstar before Annika Sorenstam — who took the traditional leap into the lake by the 18th green. Webb made her debut as a rookie in 1996 and won nine events in three years. Her domination included the majors, where she won five from 1999 to 2001. Then Webb disappeared quicker than you could say Se Ri Pak, and she struggled to find her swing and wondered if she would win again. “I realized I was taking it for granted,” Webb said after her playoff victory over Ochoa at the Kraft Nabisco. “I don’t know if it was because I was uncomfortable or what. I wanted to feel it again, though.” While the mind was willing, the body was not. Webb won one major (the British Open) from 2002 to 2005, and only one LPGA event from 2003 to 2005. “I was working so hard on trying to win again,” Webb said. “I think every week I thought I could win. I don’t think I ever teed it up and didn’t think I couldn’t win.” Early this season, Webb showed no signs that she was ready to make a comeback, playing in three events and finishing tied for 26th, 49th and 24th. Sorenstam, however, was looking like the Grand Slam was within her grasp. She won an event before the Kraft Nabisco and said she felt good about her chances in Rancho Mirage. But a fickle putter kept her from having a round in the 60s and she finished tied for sixth. The signs of Webb’s emergence happened in the second round. She was at the 15th hole, 140 yards away, and hit a 7-iron that went into the hole for an eagle. She performed a similar feat in the final round, when she holed a pitching wedge from 116 yards out on the final hole of regulation. “I know I’ve been here before,” Webb said. “I know what it takes to win major tournaments. I knew I had that little bit of an edge.” Webb’s surprising victory means Wie, Gulbis, Pressel, Creamer and Ochoa will have to wait a little longer for their chance to hoist a major championship trophy. In case they were wondering, it feels pretty good. “I really, really wanted to enjoy winning again,” Webb said. |
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