Karrie Webb eagles her way to 2022 Senior LPGA Championship at Salina Country Club
SALINA — Karrie Webb knew she had her hands full with a charging Annika Sörenstam only two strokes back heading into the final round of the 2022 Senior LPGA Championship.
For every response Sörenstam, which started with an eagle on Hole 1, Webb bounced back. Heading to the back nine of the Salina Country Club, Webb and Sörenstam were tied for the lead at -10.
That's where Webb made her mark which included an eagle on Hole 14 en route to the 2022 Senior LPGA Championship Sunday afternoon. Webb won the tournament by four strokes over Sörenstam, who finished the tournament at -10, while Laura Diaz was third at -7.
"It was game on from the first hole, with Annika holing that eagle," Webb said. "I've played against her long enough that I was going to have a battle with her all the way today. I needed to stay sharp and try and get myself as many chances as I could. I did that.
"I think I played quite well with how tricky the winds were, and it was (an) opposite breeze to what we played the first two days. (The) course played a little bit differently, but I made some key putts at the right time, and that one 14th was huge to go up by three."
Even with the weather being cooler for Sunday's round, the wind played a factor, which Webb said took her into being more creative and playing shots rather than being too technical. She had her two best rounds over the final two days by shooting a 66 on Saturday and a 67 on Sunday. Webb's first round was a 69.
"I think that helped me the last few days," Webb said. "I enjoy the challenge of that. We were hitting some different clubs off tees and stuff."
Sörenstam said she couldn't have asked for a better start, but Webb played better when it mattered the most.
"She played very well today," Sörenstam said. "I wish I would've continued that pressure that I started (today) with. I think I ran out of gas a little bit. I gave it a run and sometimes that's all you can do.
"I liked being in this position. It was a great head-to-head for most of the day. I think we both played well, and she just kind of came out on top this time. It's always nice to have the fans and the spectators creating an atmosphere."
More: Updates: Karrie Webb wins 2022 Senior LPGA Championship at Salina Country Club
Salina hosted the first LPGA event in Kansas in 20 years
The 2022 Senior LPGA Championship was the first LPGA event in Kansas for the first time since July 7, 2002, when Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson played host to the U.S. Women's Open.
On that day, Juli Inkster won that event with Sörenstam finishing second. Webb missed the cut in that event but managed to find a way to win just an hour north of Hutchinson in Salina 20 years later.
"We were really well received back in 2002," Webb said. "A lot of people turned out to watch us then. For how hot it's been this week, we got great crowds out here and it was a really good atmosphere."
With Sörenstam finishing second, Inkster's return to Kansas still resulted in a top-five finish, finishing in a tie for fourth.
More: Four Salina area golfers experience a round of golf with LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam
Playing in a tournament that was planned in six months
For a site to host a tournament, planning usually takes a year to a year-and-a-half.
The Salina Country Club rose to the challenge and prepared its course in a matter of six months after this year's event was in jeopardy of having a host.
"I think it was a whole community effort," Webb said. "We're very appreciative to play again this year."
Dylan Sherwood has been a sports reporter for the Salina Journal since August 2019. He can be reached at dsherwood@salina.com or on Twitter @DSherwoodSJ
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Karrie Webb holds off Annika Sörenstam to win Senior LPGA Championship
