It should have come as no surprise when Karrie Webb claimed the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open last year at Victoria Golf Club, especially considering how the Hall of Famer has dominated women’s golf in her home land during her illustrious career.

Not only was the victory Webb’s 40^th career LPGA triumph, but it was also her fifth Australian Ladies Open title. She also won the event, long sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and ALPG Tour, in 2000, 2002 and from 2007-08, when it was not part of the Tour and is among the favorites to contend for the title again this year.

The seven-time major champion has been a dominant force in her native Australia since she joined the LPGA in 1996. Webb won the Australian Ladies Masters three years in a row (1998-2000) while it was an officially sanctioned LPGA event from 1997-2000 and added five more victories at the event (2001, 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2013) after it was no longer on the LPGA schedule.

Webb, who served as a torch bearer for the 2000 Olympic Summer Games in Sydney, relishes any chance to play on a grand stage in her home country. The Ayr, Queensland, native talked briefly about the joy and support the home crowd gives her while she’s between the ropes in Australia.

“I think what is really worth a shot or two to me is when I play in Australia and I have that crowd support,” the two-time Rolex Player of the Year said. “It gives me a boost myself, but I think it also helps me (in relation) to all the others in the field. If there are other Aussies up there, they’ll get cheered for as well, but anyone else who’s not from Australia, they know who everyone is supporting.”

Webb finished tied for 56^th at Royal Melbourne Golf Club three years ago when the Women’s Australian Open was added to the LPGA schedule for the first time and says she feels more confident about teeing it up at the famed course this week.

“I feel a lot more comfortable here than I did three years ago,” said Webb, who has a chance to join Annika Sorenstam as an LPGA $20 million winner this year. “(Then) it was my first tournament of the year and this is only my second, but I’ve already got that one tournament under my belt. I know the course better than last time, and I hopefully look forward to a better performance than three years ago.”

Looking at Webb’s prowess on the links “Down Under,” one would be foolish to bet against her.

Webb queen of links in home land

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