Paul McNamee, Executive Chairman of the Australian Opens, Golf Australia and ANZ Ladies Masters Chairman, Bob Tuohy announced today that Karrie Webb has been confirmed in the field for next February s MFS Women’s Australian Open in Sydney and ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines on Queensland s Gold Coast. Webb, a dual Australian Open champion, was the 2005 winner at Royal Pines when she overtook the Japanese star Ai Miyazato in the final round, has had an outstanding year in 2006 winning four times on the LPGA Tour. The first of those victories was her dramatic win at the first major of the year, the Kraft Nabisco Championship when she holed her approach at the 72nd hole and then went on to defeat Lorena Ochoa at the first extra hole. Webb also collected the lucrative Evian Masters title in France in addition to two other LPGA Tour titles to date, bringing her number of career victories on the LPGA Tour to 34, including seven majors. Karrie also finished runner-up to Se-Ri Pak at the second major of the year and has recorded 11 top 10 finishes from 19 starts this year. She is still in the hunt to finish on top of the 2006 LPGA Money List. Karrie has had an incredible year and I urge all Sydneysiders to giver her a rousing welcome when she returns to Australian soil in 2007, said Paul McNamee. The 2007 MFS Australian Women’s Open is about sill, talent and glamour and with our number one star Karrie joining fellow Australian and number two player in Australia, Nikki Campbell as well as international golfing favourites Laura Davies and Natalie Gulbis we are well on track to deliver an outstanding event, stated McNamee. Bob Tuohy commented, Karrie has been a key figure in the tremendous success the ANZ Ladies Masters has experienced over the years and it is great to have her confirm her involvement again in 2007. Coming on top of the recent announcements involving the inclusion of Cristie Kerr and Natalie Gulbis in the field gives every indication that next year s event will be one of the best ever. It’s a great thrill to once again be playing in Australia at two such prestigious events, said Webb today. To be able to return to Australia in 2007 after such an improved season on the LPGA Tour is something that I am looking forward to very much. 2006 has seen also seen a huge leap by Webb in the recently introduced Rolex Women’s World Golf rankings. She has moved into the number three position in the world after starting the year well outside the top ten.
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