Seven-time major winner stalks course with serious intent
Kim Kaufman (USA) 66 66 Haru Nomura (JPN) 67 67 Su-Hyun Oh 67 68 Charlotte Thomas (ENG) 68 68 Marissa Steen (USA) 68 70, Olivia Cowan (GER) 68 70, Alena Sharp (CAN) 69 69, Karrie Webb 73 65
Felicity Johnson (ENG) 65 74, Alison Lee (USA) 68 71, Kristen Gillman (USA) 72 67
Pei-Ying Tsai (TPE) 69 71, Kendall Dye (USA) 72 68, Dani Holmqvist (SWE) 70 70, Haeji Kang (KOR) 71 69, Celine Boutier (FRA) 69 71, Holly Clyburn (ENG) 70 70, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 71 69, Anne-Catherine Tanguay (CAN) 66 74, Katherine Kirk 72 68, Mariajo Uribe (COL) 69 71, Lindsey Weaver (USA) 70 70, Yae Eun Hong (KOR) 68 72 AUSTRALIAN legend Karrie Webb turned back the clock at the Vic Open yesterday with a stunning seven-under 65, claiming a share of fifth spot on the leaderboard and positioning herself for a tilt at the title.
Webb did not register a single bogey all day on the Beach course and wowed the big gallery with her work off the fairway and on the green.
The veteran has not played an LPGA event since missing the cut at the British Open last August but she found a rich vein of form suddenly and said she felt she was zoned in early in her round.
“I’m really excited about it, it has been a while since I have felt that good on a golf course,” she said.
“I warmed up really well, so I felt pretty good about things.
“I got off to a pretty good start, and then I three-putted on five for a par, which I was really frustrated with, but I shook that off and played a really great stretch from seven through to 13.
“On (Thursday) the longest putt I made was four feet, so it was good to see some of those go in today.
“I haven’t played that well from tee to green for quite some time, probably a couple of years, so it feels good.”
Webb is only six strokes behind the leader, American Kim Kaufman, but her experience in big tournaments will be worth its weight in gold across the weekend as players vie for a share of the $1.5 million prize pool.
The seven-time major champion said the homecrowd factor could play into her hands and said she was excited by the prospect of being a live chance heading into moving day. “There are not a lot of leaderboards out there, so I looked up on the 17th hole and 13-under was leading. I didn’t expect it to be quite so low,” Webb said.
“But I am just happy I put together that round and I will be in the last few groups (on Saturday) and, hopefully, it’s another good one.
“As long as I am playing I think I have a chance of playing well.”