Webb primed to defend Founder Cup title

Defending champion Karrie Webb is calling on memories of stirring final day charges at the LPGA Tour’s Founders Cup in Phoenix this week.

The Australian veteran has won two of the four previous stagings of the tournament – in 2011 and 2014 – and produced spectacular final rounds to seal victory both times.

Webb overcame a six-stroke deficit in the final round last year as she birdied five of the last six holes at Desert Ridge’s Wildfire Golf Club.

She made a 20-footer on the 18th to match the course record of nine-under 63 and finish at 19-under 269.

In 2011, she also came from six strokes back the last day.

“It’s just one of those courses where you can get on a roll,” said Webb on Wednesday.

“The temperature is nice and warm and not a lot of wind.

“The course is softer than it has been the past four years, added Webb. “Quite a bit, actually. If it stays that soft, I think scoring will be even lower.”

If she’s to win this time, Webb will have to outdo red-hot world No.1 Lydia Ko.

At just 17, Ko has six LPGA Tour victories and 10 worldwide victories in professional events, winning the Women’s Australian Open and the Ladies European Tour’s New Zealand Women’s Open in consecutive weeks this year.

The New Zealander also tied for second in the opener in Florida, tied for seventh in the Bahamas and was second two weeks ago in Singapore.

“It’s been an exciting couple weeks,” Ko said. “But after that, I was exhausted. Hopefully, I’m again ready for these next couple.”

Last year in her first start in the desert, the teen had a three-stroke lead with 13 holes left and ended up tying for second – a stroke behind Webb.

“Karrie played great,” Ko said. “I was a little disappointed, but she played better. … It gives me confidence coming into this week seeing that I played well here before and it’s a course that I know.”

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