(Surfers Paradise, Australia 25 February 2004) World number one Annika Sörenstam heads a strong field for the $Aus800,000 ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines GC on Australia’s Gold Coast, the first event of the 2004 season on the Ladies European Tour.
 |
| Karrie Webb at her press conference at the ANZ Ladies Masters |
Triggs, who also coaches Rachel Teske, offered his services to Webb last season and the trimmer and more confident looking Webb admitted it was working well.
“I think I can hit the heights again,” said Webb.
“I know how good a player I am and I don’t want to waste that talent. Last year, I was going round in circles and my confidence was really low and it knew it wasn’t a lack of work, but I didn’t have any direction.
“I’ve known Triggsy since I was 13 or 14 and he has a real calming influence. No matter how bad your day was, he can make me feel better. Kelvin, Triggsy and I are on the same wavelength and it’s working well.”
Davies, who has won at least one event in every year of her career, will be looking for her 67th title this season and after keeping her run alive with her only victory of the year here last February, the 40-year-old admitted she is in fine form to defend her title.
“I love the course,” said Davies, who has been subject of stinging criticism in the media after her recent performance in the men’s ANZ Masters two weeks ago.
“This course sets up perfectly for me and should definitely suit the longer hitters after all the rain we’ve had. I’m really looking forward to it again this week.”
Her critics, who included former men’s world number one Greg Norman, were out in force after she missed the cut at the Horizons Resort and the common theme was that she should not have played the event. But Davies is adamant she had the right to take up her invitation.
“I feel that I was a professional golfer who had an invite to a professional tournament and I took it up. Some of the criticism was harsh, but I would never say never to playing again.
“All the media hype got a bit out of hand and some people have been suggesting that now I’m 40 I’m now finished. But I really don’t understand their thinking.
“To be honest, I couldn’t care less what they think, but why would I travel all the way around the world to play in a tournament if I was finished? Just because I am 40 doesn’t mean it’s over. It’s just one more year than 39!”
