World number one Karrie Webb, the odds-on favourite for the AAMI
Women's Australian Open, today called on the corporate world to
give more support to women's golf events 'down under'.
Webb goes into the first round at the Yara Yara Golf Club in Melbourne's
sand belt as the overwhelming favourite to win her second title
in successive weeks on the 2001 Evian Tour.
And although she is not completely happy with her swing, she showed
more concern for the lack of support shown for women's golf in Australia,
particularly in light of the impressive television ratings the women's
game has generated for the past two seasons.
"What more can we do as players, we have some of the best players
in the world who are Australian," said Webb, winner of last
week's ANZ Ladies Masters for the fourth consecutive year.
"We also have some of the best players in the world from Europe
playing over here. Our ratings proved again last week. I don't think
we can do any more as players. I think it's up to the administrators
to have faith in us, to realise that last year was not a fluke."
Webb was referring to last season's ANZ Ladies Masters and AAMI
Women's
Australian Open, and the fact that the Open received higher ratings
than the corresponding men's event held over the same weekend.
"We had two great weekends of golf and we out-rated whatever
was on TV," added Webb. "We did it again last week from
the ANZ Ladies Masters. I think we out-rated the (Melbourne) Grand
Prix. I have not seen that myself but I have been told that.
"We've shown Australia that we have a great show and are very
entertaining and good to watch. The crowds were great last week
at the ANZ Masters.
"If our ratings for two weeks are better or match the men,
then I can't see why we can't play for similar purses in Australia.
It's not like we have a full summer schedule over here, that we
need sponsors to support 10 or 12
events.
"We just need sponsors to support two events, to build these
two events up. The more we build them up, the more we will attract
bigger and better players to come over here."
Webb was commenting on the reduction in prize money at last week's
ANZ Ladies Masters, which ultimately led to the loss of the LPGA
sanction and some of the leading players from America.
Asked whether there was a built-in prejudice against women's golf
in Australia, Webb was unsure whether that was the case but was
keen to stress the success that Australian sportswomen had recently
enjoyed, not only in golf but also the Olympics.
"What women have done in this country in the last year in all
sporting arenas equals the men, if not better," added Webb,
winner last week by a clear eight shots.
"Some of the gold medals that were won at the Olympics - the
water polo, the field hockey, women's basketball went to the finals,
which has never happened before. Obviously Susie O'Neil (swimming)
and Cathie Freeman, you could just go on.
"Women dominated the Olympics for us. Corporate Australia should
not think that women's gold is secondary.
"I know that economically Australia is not doing too well right
now. But I don't think it's a big ask to make these tournaments
bigger and better to show appreciation for what we are doing overseas."
Although last week's win in the ANZ Masters was Webb's first of
the season, such is her dominance of the women's game at present
that the bookmakers are offering her at $1.80 for this week's event.
In Australian betting parlance, that means that for every $1 you
bet you get a mere $1.80 return.
Webb admitted that she wasn't much of a gambler but she was still
surprised at being such odds-on favourite before a ball had been
struck.
Karrie
Webb wants more support from corporate Australia. Allsport.
"It's hard for any one person to be that favoured in a golf
tournament," she added. "Golf is such a fickle game. One
missed shot here or there, even though you thought you played well,
could cost you the tournament.
"No one can win every tournament. There are a lot of great
players in this field. Everyone, even you guys (the media), need
to take note of how good some of the players are. The last two weeks
the fields have been great."
As for her swing, Webb admitted that she was working on one or two
things with her coach Kel Haller, but explained that they were probably
beyond the appreciation of most onlookers.
"It is really just improving my takeaway at the top of my swing.
It is nothing the naked eye could detect but it is something I know
I need to work on and something Kel has known for a while as well.
"The way I am hitting it is still good. I still played well
last week. I felt like I could do pretty well whatever I wanted
with the ball. What I am working on is to make that even better."
An indication of the overwhelming odds on Webb this week can be
taken from the price offered for the joint second favourites, Laura
Davies of England and Sweden's Sophie Gustafson. They have been
quoted A$9, which converts to odds of 8-1.
Last week in Queensland, Davies missed the cut for the first time
in what she thinks was 60 tournaments, and has taken the rare step
of visiting the range in order to familiarise herself with her new
clubs.
Davies, who finished third in this tournament last season, played
with a new set of Srixon's in the ANZ Ladies Masters and has admitted
to having difficulty with her new driver.
Gustafson will also be hoping to rediscover the form that enabled
her to fire a 67 in last week's opening round before falling off
the pace with rounds of 76, 73 and 75.
