Karrie Webb got off to a hot start by going three-under through the first three holes en route to a three-under 68 for a two-shot victory at the LPGA Tour’s ShopRite Classic.
The Australian Hall-of-Famer finished at four-under 209 in the US$1.5 million, 54-hole event to post her first win on the LPGA Tour in more than two years and 39th of her career. Her last win was the 2011 RR Donnelley Founders Cup.
The 38-year-old Aussie said she was distraught this week because her grandmother is very sick in hospital. At one stage, Webb thought she would not get to see her again.
Photo: AFP
“My grandmother is ill at home and we thought she was going to pass,” Webb said. “She told me that I had to win this tournament for her. She’s on the mend now, but still in the hospital.”
Second-round leader Feng Shanshan of China stumbled to a four-over 75 during her final round to fall into second place at two-under 211, while South Korea’s Park Hee-young placed third after firing a 71 for 212.
South Korea’s Jenny Shin shot a one-under 70 and finished fourth at even-par 213.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng shot a final-round 80 to finish tied for 69th place on 10-over 223.
Webb, who started the day at one-under, parred the first hole on Sunday, then made birdie on the par-four second. She followed that up with an eagle on the par-five third to move to four-under.
Her only bogey of the day came at the par-four sixth, but she capped her round in style with a birdie on the par-five 18th.
Webb, who is expected to move into the top 10 in world rankings with the victory, said the win will not only please her grandmother, but also validates the hard work she has put into improving her game.
“It never gets old and it never gets any easier,” Webb said. “I am just glad I pulled it out. It was a great birdie on the last hole.”
Feng stumbled out of the gate on Sunday with two double-bogeys in the first five holes. She had three bogeys and one birdie on the back nine.
It was disappointing preparation for the defense of her LPGA Championship major title next week in Rochester, New York.
Her triumph in that tournament last year made her the first Chinese player to win an LPGA Tour event.
The Chinese player said the windy conditions threw her off.
“Today was tough,” Feng said. “It was tough conditions. I did OK even though I played plus four.”
Additional reporting by staff writer
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