Karrie Webb back competing at US Senior Women’s Open
Karrie Webb in action this week – image USGA
Australian golfing legend Karrie Webb played this week’s US Senior Women’s Open in San Diego and although she is likely to finish well off the pace, the seven-time major winner enjoyed the experience of being back playing competitive golf.
“So far it’s been fun catching up with people I haven’t seen very often over the last probably 10 years, I guess, so that’s been good,” said Webb prior to the event getting underway on Thursday.
“Getting back into the grind of a tournament, especially a U.S. Open, has its challenges, especially when you haven’t been playing competitively a lot. It’s a bit of a lottery each day to see where your game is at.
“I think the longer you’re away from the game, you don’t realize the stress level that you lived with being at for an extended period of years, and so when you get that adrenaline rush now, it’s so unusual for your body to handle.
“It’s a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get. It can be really impressive some days, and some days it looks like I haven’t played for a year.
“It’s a U.S. Open; it’s not easy. I think it’s made a little bit harder because none of us are competing a lot. But I’m looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully some of the old feelings come back and I can control those emotions as best I can.”
When asked what being a member of the LPGA has meant to her, Webb was quick to respond.
“It’s one of the proudest things that’s ever happened in my life is to be a member of the LPGA. To say that I’m a Hall of Famer of the LPGA is very special.
“The LPGA has given me the life I have today, so I’m very grateful.”
Webb played with another multiple major winner in the opening two rounds, Juli Inkster, and after her opening round reflected on what had been a demanding start to the event.
“All the nerves and anxiousness were definitely there, and it’s sort of a course where I don’t know if you ever really feel comfortable on. You’ve got to really think your way around it as much as possible to make sure you have putts below the hole and hitting fairways is really a premium to getting anywhere near any of these pins.
“I think all three of us were glad to finish out on 18. Juli said to me on our 17th hole, aren’t you glad we don’t do this for a living anymore.
“Yeah, it was definitely a test out there.”
Webb followed up her opening round of even par 73 with rounds of 76 and 77 to be well back in 20th place and eleven shots from the lead heading into tomorrow’s final round but, irrespective of her performance this week, Webb’s legacy as one of Australia’s greatest golfers of all time, and arguably the greatest, is there for all to see.
