5UPDATE: Karrie Webb solidified her first victory on the Legends Tour, defeating long-time competitor, Annika Sörenstam by four strokes. The Aussie finished the week 14-under. With Sörenstam breathing down her neck, Webb knew she was going to have to bring her A-game during the final round.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had to make putts down the stretch to win a golf tournament,” laughed Webb. “So the mouth was getting dry and the little putts were seeming a little bit longer.”
It was evident right off the bat that the duo would go back at forth at the top, when Sörenstam chipped in for eagle on No. 1. Instead of letting it mess with her head, Webb used the accomplishment as motivation.
“It was kind of a game on moment,” said Webb. “Once that went in, I was like alright here we go. I just knew I had to play my best golf.”
Webb also had an eagle of her own on No. 14, to go along with six birdies. The adrenaline of being at the top with Sörenstam was not something she has had in a long time.
“I’m not used to playing golf with adrenaline,” said Webb. “It was hard to know how far I was hitting it, so it was a bit of a guessing game, but I think I did pretty good overall with it.”
Webb says the ginormous crowd following the group also sparked some momentum.
“We got great support this week for how hot it’s been,” said Webb. “It was nice to see so many people out and supporting us.”
Sörenstam finished the week in second place, at 10-under. Her 3-under final round performance consisted of three birdies, all on the front nine, and the lone eagle to start her round. The Swede put up a fight on the back nine, but ultimately fell short of Webb.
“I wish I would have continued that pressure that I started on,” said Sörenstam. “It would have been fun, but I think I ran out of gas a little bit.”
The hall of famer says she likes being in the position she was heading into the final round – two strokes back with all eyes on their group.
“I think it was a great head-to-head for most of the day, and I think we both played well,” said Sörenstam. “She just came out on top this time. But it’s always nice to have the fans and spectators out there cheering and creating a good atmosphere.”
Throughout the highs and lows of the round, Sörenstam leaned on her family for support. Her husband and children were always right there and ready for both celebratory and consoling hugs as she walked to the next hole.
“That’s why I play,” said Sörenstam. “It’s all about them. I want them to be part of it, you know, we’ve been going through this journey together. They’ve been supporting from start to finish, so I want them to feel like this is part of theirs and part of what they do. They mean the world to me.”
Seven strokes behind Webb, and three behind Sörenstam, was Laura Diaz. Her 2-under final round put her in solo third at 7-under. Like Sörenstam and Webb, Diaz recorded an eagle to accompany two birdies.
“I left a couple out there, so a little frustrated by that,” said Diaz. “But overall, it was a great week. Not just the golf, but I met a great couple new families, and Salina was a great place to come to. One better than last year, so moving on up and going in the right direction.”
Becky Morgan, Michele Redman, Juli Inskter, and Lisa DePaulo round out the top 5, tied for fourth at 4-under.
QUICK QUOTES
Lisa DePaulo (-4, T4) on playing with Annika Sörenstam and Karrie Webb:
“I got to play with the big dogs. Does it get any bigger than Annika and Karrie? No, it doesn’t. It was awesome. The first hole for Annika to start out eagle, and we’re out here having birdies, it was pretty cool. I wish I could have played a little better, but hey I paid a $200 entry fee and got the best seat in the house.”
Tammie Green (-3, T8) on her No. 15 Ace:
“I’m feeling great. I had 134 to the pin, and Lou said 7 iron uphill. It was good into the wind, I hit it perfectly, just short and it went in. That’s very exciting, because I haven’t really been playing as well as I’d like to. That kind of changed things around, and I felt good about the rest of the day.”
Becky Morgan (-4, T4) on a bogey-free round:
“It felt pretty good. I think I just did the damage yesterday, shooting 2-over, so I knew I needed a really low round to get up there.”
ABOUT SALINA COUNTRY CLUB
With nearby Smoky Hill River cascading along the edge of the property, Salina Country Club was established in 1911 and sits atop Tom White Hill, just east of the city providing an impressive landmark. A 40,000 square-foot clubhouse serves as the area’s hub for social activities, including three dining areas featuring fireplaces and separate bar facilities. A magnificent 18-hole championship golf course offers members and guests with a superb and challenging layout while other club amenities include four lighted tennis courts, a spacious swimming pool with a 163-foot water slide, and fully equipped fitness center.
ABOUT LEGENDS OF THE LPGA
Legends of the LPGA is the official senior tour of the LPGA providing competitive opportunities for LPGA Tour professionals and eligible amateurs, age 45 and over. The tour was founded in 2000 by 25 veteran LPGA Tour professionals with a goal of showcasing the talents of some of the greatest women golfers of all time. Legends of the LPGA members, including 15 LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members, have combined for over 750 LPGA Tour victories including 84 major championships. Legends of the LPGA has helped raise approximately $24 million for charity.
ABOUT THE LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women, with a goal to change the face of golf by making the sport more accessible and inclusive.
Created in 1950 by 13 Founders, the Association celebrates a diverse and storied history. The LPGA Tour competes across the globe, reaching television audiences in more than 220 countries. The Epson Tour, the LPGA’s official qualifying tour, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA also holds a joint-venture collaboration with the Ladies European Tour (LET), increasing playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe. Across the Tours, the LPGA represents players in more than 60 countries.
Additionally, the LPGA Foundation has empowered and supported girls and women since 1991, most notably through LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the only national program of its kind, which annually engages with nearly 100,000 girls. The LPGA Amateur Golf Association and LPGA Women’s Network provide virtual and in-person connections to female golfers around the world, while LPGA Professionals are educators, business leaders and gamechangers dedicated to growing the game of golf for everyone.
Follow the LPGA on its U.S. television home, Golf Channel, online at www.LPGA.com and on its mobile apps. Join the social conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
ORIGINAL: Australian Karrie Webb won the Senior LPGA Championship at the Salina Country Club Sunday afternoon.
Webb finished the day Sunday with a 67, and the tournament at 14-under. She headed into the final round at 9-under, two strokes ahead of long-time competitor, Annika Sorenstam. Sorenstam shot a 69 on Sunday to finish in second, 4 stokes behind Webb.
With the win, Webb earns $60,000; she has earned $83,368 this season and $20,353,617 in her LPGA Tour career.
In defeating Annika Sorenstam by four strokes, seven-time major winner Karri Webb won her first Legends Tour event. She is a 2005 LPGA Tour and World Golf Hall of Fame inductee.
Legends of the LPGA is the official senior tour of the LPGA providing competitive opportunities for LPGA Tour professionals and eligible amateurs, age 45 and over. The tour was founded in 2000 by 25 veteran LPGA Tour professionals with a goal of showcasing the talents of some of the greatest women golfers of all time. Legends of the LPGA members, including 15 LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame members, have combined for over 750 LPGA Tour victories including 84 major championships. Legends of the LPGA has helped raise approximately $24 million for charity.
This was the first time Salina has hosted a golf event of this caliber.
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LPGA photo
