Veteran Webb fancies her chances against young ’uns

LANCASTER: Hall of Famer Karrie Webb (pic), the last back-to-back winner of the US Women’s Open, is still hungry for competition at age 40 and likes her chances in this week’s edition at the Lancaster Country Club.

Webb thinks her golf is equal to when she claimed the first of her two US Opens in a row 15 years ago.

“Physically, as good as it’s been,” she said, a determined glint in her piercing green eyes.

“It’s just a matter of scoring better and getting the ball in the hole.

“I’m working hard on my putting. I need to see a few more putts go in. Once that starts to happen it sort of frees up the rest of your game.”

Webb said the level of play on the tour has improved.

“Obviously, girls are fitter and stronger. You see a lot more girls hitting it a lot further. I’m trying to keep up with them.

“It’s my favourite event, just because it’s the golf course each year that asks the most of you,” the Australian said as she walked off the practice putting green.

Seven-time Major winner Webb, playing in her 20th US Women’s Open and with a career profile that spans three pages in the tournament’s Player Guide, remains a contender.

At 18th ranked one spot behind 25-year-old Michelle Wie, last year’s Open champion, Webb won twice on tour last year and finished tied for seventh last month in the Women’s PGA Championship major in New York.

Asked about the key to her longevity, Webb said: “I still want to do it. I still want to put the hard work in. I like to compete. That’s why I’m here.” — Reuters