SPECIAL TO GOLFAUSTRALIA.ORG.AU Southern Pines, North Carolina It was eerily similar to a high-profile meltdown two weeks ago: a champion in hot form comes to a major confident of success, but the golf gods decide otherwise. A month ago, Australia&aposs world No.4 Adam Scott beat the reigning US Open champion, Australia&aposs world No.9, Geoff Ogilvy, by 12 strokes in a practice round on the US Open course at Oakmont in Pennsylvania. Then, two weeks later, when the real thing began, Scott crashed out of the tournament and missed the cut with rounds of 76 and 82. Two weeks ago, world No.2 Karrie Webb, Australia&aposs most successful golfer ever, got within a shot of winning her eighth major title at the LPGA Championship. Yesterday, her game fell apart. Webb shot a 12-over-par 83 that gives her little chance of playing on the weekend. Everything that Webb normally does well was missing. She hit only six of 14 fairways and nine of 18 greens but, most shockingly, had 37 putts as her touch on the greens disappeared. “I have no excuses. I&aposm not that kind of player,” Webb said. “Do you think I had any idea I&aposd shoot 83? It was a terrible round, one of the worst days of my career.” Playing partner, young US star Morgan Pressel, was a reluctant witness, but said the tough Pine Needles course here was to blame. “It&aposs a tough golf course,” she said. “And everybody has a bad day. “I played with Karrie today and she definitely struggled a little bit and she could never really get any momentum going and it was kind of battling hard for her all day. And that&aposs tough on this gold course. Because there&aposs not really too many places where you can make up too much ground.” The better news for Australia was the first round for Noosa&aposs Katherine Hull, the leading Australian at one over par, tied for 40th but just four shots from the lead. In stark contrast to Webb, 25-year-old Hull scorched the greens, needing just 27 putts for the round and racking up the stat pro golfers dream off: just 1.50 putts per green in regulation. A shot further back is Australian veteran Wendy Doolan after a fine one-over par 72. However, Rachel Heatherington was another to stumble, shooting 78. Australian-based Korean Amy Yang had not finished her round this morning (Australian time) because of a weather delay. Brazil&aposs Angela Park leads the tournament at three under par.
Author: