Date: February 10, 2009
Author: Angus Morgan at Metropolitan GC, Sportal

Hull buoyant after rankings boost

Katherine Hull was &aposrapt&apos on Tuesday by the news of her bigger-than-expected rise up the world rankings, and has been just as excited by the layout at Metropolitan which she rates as the best in Australia. Hull goes into this week&aposs Women&aposs Australian Open at &aposMetro&apos in Melbourne&aposs renowned sandbelt full of confidence coming off a five-stroke win in the Australian Ladies Masters at Royal Pines which improved her ranking six places to No.20 in the world. “I didn&apost expect to jump six spots, it&aposs surprising,” said Hull. “The closer you get to the top 30, the tighter it gets usually, so the harder it is to move spots.” “The goal this year is top 10 so obviously there&aposs a long season ahead and a lot of work to do, but it&aposs a perfect start, really.” Hull had her first look on Tuesday at the par-73, 5994-metre track which is hosting a leading women&aposs event for the first time, and couldn&apost have been more impressed. “After playing this morning, I&aposd say it&aposs the best golf course I&aposve ever played in Australia and I&aposm really impressed with the condition of it,” she said. “The layout is fantastic, every hole has got its own character and the greens are pure.” “I&aposm really looking forward to the tournament.” Mindful of the depth in the field which includes four-time champion and defending titleholder Karrie Webb and last year&aposs leader on the European moneylist Gwladys Nocera of France, Hull said she&aposs not expecting too much of herself this week. To adjust effectively from the resort layout at Royal Pines, the 22-year-old plans to make the most of practice time on Tuesday and Wednesday especially on and around the greens. “These greens are a lot different from the Bermuda we play on up in Queensland, so you&aposve got to make sure that your speed is spot on come Thursday,” Hull said. “But when it&aposs all said and done, it&aposs golf, it&aposs not rocket science, so keep it simple and just do the best you can preparing.” Hull credits a change of mindset and an overhaul of her course management over the past two seasons for her rise up the rankings, and rather than dwelling on errors out on the course she finds consolation in the bible. “I can probably list 20 bible verses off the top of my head, but my caddie John always gets me to recite First Corinthians Nine, 24 though 27,” she said. “That&aposs usually the one if I hit a bad shot – he&aposll ask &aposwhat&aposs the verse?&apos” Hull is drawn to play in one of the marquee groups alongside compatriot Tamie Durdin and English veteran Laura Davies scheduled to tee off at 12.40pm (local time) on Thursday.