(Turnberry, August 14 2002) Australia’s Karrie Webb demonstrated a ruthless display of iron play and putting during the final round of the £1,000,000 Weetabix Women’s British Open as she came from three shots back to cruise to her sixth major championship victory and third British Open title on the venerable links at Turnberry.
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| Webb – six majors |
With her £155,000 victory, Webb has now won the LPGA’s “Super Grand Slam” – every available major championship in women’s golf in her career – and she would be the second youngest player to capture six major championship titles at the age of 27 years, 7 months and 21 days behind the legendary Mickey Wright.
Starting three shots behind third round leader Carin Koch from Sweden, the Australian made her move with birdies at the third, fifth and sixth to move to 11 under par and threaten the lead, which Koch was bravely hanging on to.
A sand wedge to 20 feet at the tenth saw her move to 12 under and at the 12th, Webb, who has won the Australian Open and Rochester International this year, moved clear of the pack with a vital 15 foot birdie putt.
The only dramatic moment came at the 16th when she holed a 30-foot putt for par after being un-nerved after being put on the clock for slow play.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” said Webb who has achieved 12 victories having started the final round from more than two shots back.
“Yesterday I asked for a little bad weather and I got my wish for about five or six holes. Fortunately the wind dropped and the rain cleared off and I played those early holes well.
“I kept things going and obviously made a great par save on the 16th, which was really key and birdied 17 which, I didn’t know at that stage, but it finally put the last nail in the coffin.”
Marti promised to “go deep” during the final round and the affable Spaniard showed infinite patience during the tough early conditions, rattling off seven straight pars before finishing her front nine with a birdie, birdie flourish.
Her only bogey came at the tricky 13th when on her approach shot, her club face slammed shut in the thick, wet rough missing the green short and left.
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