Karrie
Webb again showed the determination and heart of a champion
when she achieved the LPGA Tour’s Career Grand Slam.
The
indomitable Aussie won the 2001 McDonald's LPGA Championship
to become the youngest LPGA player to win all four of
the LPGA Tour’s major championships—but the victory
was bittersweet as Webb hoisted the trophy just 24 hours
after learning her grandfather was seriously ill. Her
dedication of her victory to her grandfather was a poignant
moment at the end of a record-setting week for Webb,
who had considered withdrawing from the final round
to return to Australia.
“To
be honest, I almost didn’t play today,” said Webb, who
now has 25 LPGA Tour victories to her credit. “I did
have a flight booked to fly back with my parents today
at 12:30 p.m., and I decided that with my mom and dad
last night at about 1:00 in the morning. My dad didn’t
sleep very well, and he talked to the rest of my family
today, and they all wanted me to play because Granddad
would have wanted me to. There was a part of me that
wanted to play anyway, and the fact that my family said
they wanted me to do it, that’s what changed my mind.
It wasn’t until about 8:00 this morning.”
Webb
learned that her maternal grandfather, Mick Collinson,
71, who had a stroke on Thursday, had taken a turn for
the worse late Saturday evening U.S. time.
Webb
is the youngest LPGA Tour player to achieve the Career
Grand Slam at 26 years, six months and three days old.
Until now, Mickey Wright was the youngest of the four
LPGA Tour golfers who have the Career Grand Slam to
their credit; she was 27 years, two months and 29 days.
In addition to Wright, the other three are LPGA Tour
Hall of Famers Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright, Pat Bradley
and Juli Inkster.
“I
didn’t know what the youngest age was and who that was,”
said Webb. “But Mickey Wright was an incredible player.
I don’t sit down and look at record books and try and
beat records. I just try and play good golf. Along the
way, I’ve broken some records, and this is a really
big one. It will sink in eventually and I know it will
be special.
“I
am at a little loss for words. This tournament is obviously
a tournament I’ve wanted to win, and obviously I’ve
thought about trying to win this tournament to complete
the career Grand Slam. Just right now, it doesn’t mean
a whole lot to me.”
Webb
needed only eight major appearances from her first major
win, the 1999 du Maurier Classic, in contrast to Tiger
Wood’s 15. Her major championship wins are the 1999
du Maurier Classic, the 2000 Nabisco Championship, the
2000 U.S. Women’s Open (as well the 2001) and the 2001
McDonald’s LPGA Championship.
When
Suggs heard the news about Webb’s achievement, she said,
“The first thing I’m going to say to her is, ‘What took
you so long?’ Seriously, I think it is fantastic what
she is doing, especially at her age. I was nearly 34
when I completed the Grand Slam. To achieve that six
years earlier like Karrie is doing, that’s just mind-boggling.
This is an especially talented woman. She may be quiet
and unassuming, but on the golf course, she is a champion.”
Despite
the distractions, Webb held off a charge by Laura Diaz,
who ended up in second place at 272 (-12), two strokes
behind Webb’s 270 (-14). Maria Hjorth, who played in
the final group with Webb, took third place at 10-under,
a tie with Wendy Ward.
Webb
also re-wrote the 9- and 36-hole tournament scoring
records; and matched the tournament’s 54-hole scoring
record. She is now one of six women to win both the
U.S. Women’s Open and the LPGA Championship in one year:
Wright, 1958 and 1961; Sandra Haynie, 1974; Meg Mallon,
1991; Se Ri Pak, 1998; and Juli Inkster, 1999.
Webb
has held the lead going into the final round in 23 tournaments
and won 15 of them. With this second win in four weeks,
Webb crossed the million-dollar mark in season earnings.
She earned her second largest paycheck of the year with
her $225,000 winner’s check.
