Webb Is Simply Commanding

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. —  The brief hibernation is over for Karrie Webb, who returned to the spotlight Sunday by winning the U.S. Women’s Open in a runaway for the second year in a row.

Webb picked the toughest championship in golf for her first American victory of the year, turning in another command performance at Pine Needles with a one-under 69 for an eight-stroke victory, the largest margin at a Women’s Open in 21 years.

“To have a comfortable walk coming up the 18th again is a dream come true,” Webb said. “It’s even more special to repeat.”

And she offered a message to her coach in Australia, Kelvin Haller.

“Things came together at the right time,” she said.

Did they ever.

The 26-year-old Australian, who ruled women’s golf the past two years until Annika Sorenstam pushed her aside, finished at seven-under 273. Webb was the only player to beat par on a difficult Donald Ross course, and she made it look easy.

Runner-up Se Ri Pak gave her a brief scare by getting within three strokes after four holes, but faded at the end and finished with a 72.

It was the biggest blowout in a Women’s Open since 1980, when Amy Alcott finished nine strokes ahead of Hollis Stacy. The record is 14 strokes by Louise Suggs in 1949.

Dottie Pepper closed with a 69, and finished third at 282, the best American finish. International players now have won six of the last seven U.S. Women’s Opens, and they have won 14 out of 16 events on the LPGA Tour this year.

But it was the first for Webb, who said her incredible two-year reign had worn her out. She had finished runner-up three times this year as Sorenstam took over, winning five times, including the first major at the Nabisco, and shooting the first 59 in LPGA history.

Sorenstam was no match for Webb this week. She closed with a 72 and finished at 287, 14 strokes behind. The 30-year-old Swede has not broken 70 in a Women’s Open in 16 rounds, dating to her 1996 victory at Pine Needles.

Webb became only the seventh woman to win the U.S. Open in consecutive years, and now has won four of the past seven majors, the most dominant stretch on the LPGA Tour since Pat Bradley won four out of five in 1985-86.

Webb, who earned $520,000 for her 24th career victory, now heads to the LPGA Championship with a chance for a career Grand Slam.