Pak, Sorenstam, Webb Have Rivalry Going

By Alex Miceli

Hutchinson, Kan. -- As Karrie Webb seeks an unprecedented third consecutive U.S. Women's Open title,she will have a bird's-eye view in the first two rounds on one of her principle opponents.

Webb and Se Ri Pak are grouped on Thursday and Friday along with defending U.S. Amateur champion Meredith Duncan of Louisiana State University. The trio will go off at 1:46 p.m. in the first round at Prairie Dunes Country Club.

"When you play with someone like that you're going to have some good golf from both of us, and maybe we can feed off each other," said Webb of playing with Pak. Not that Webb is forgetting one of the hottest players in women'sgolf, Annika Sorenstam, who has won six times on the LPGA Tour in 2001 and seven worldwide.

Webb, Pak and Sorenstam form a triumvirate akin to that ofJack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player on the PGA Tour back in the 1960s. Count on at least one of them to figure in the championship picture in just about every major.Sorenstam is taking nothing for granted when Webb or Pak tee it up. She figures, in most cases, she’ll have to ward one of them off if she is to be successful. On Wednesday, she referred to the rivalry as "fun" and "good for the game.

"Both Karrie and Se Ri have played some great golf the last two years, and it sure brings the best out of me when I’m playing, knowing they are in the field," said Sorenstam.

Webb has 27 victories on the LPGA Tour and five majors. Pak has 15 wins and four majors and Sorenstam 37 wins and four major titles. Among them, they have five U.S.Women's Open titles. Sorenstam and Webb have won back-to-back Opens.

"I guess that rivalry has just developed because the three of us have played consistently good golf over the last five or six, seven years," said Webb. "When three of us are up there and winning multiple events each year, obviously comparisons are going to be drawn. And I think it has been great for women's golf because a lot of you guys (in the media) are writing about it and writing about the differences between the three of us -- and similarities -- and writing your predictions as to who is going to win each and every week."

In last year's Open at Pine Needles in Southern Pines, N.C., Pak finished second to Webb, but it was a distant eight strokes behind. Sorenstam placed 16th, 14 shots back.

"It was definitely by far the best I played all of last year," said Webb of her effort at the 2001 Open. "I think I feel as good as I did leading into the Open last year as I do now. Last year I was playing OK, and certain things were starting to click as to the lead-up to the Open. The practice I did in the week off leading up to the Open last year was really good, and I felt really good about where my game was and felt that I had a good chance, and that's how I feel this year, too."

Pak already has added to her majors tally this year, having won the McDonald's LPGA Championship from four strokes back on the final day. While she still feels like the junior partner of the three players, Pak said she's getting her share of credit for the quality of her game.

"I was under the shadow with them, but it's getting better," said Pak of Webb and Sorenstam. "I'm still new to many people, I think, so I'm pretty much used to it; and then as it gets better, my play gets better. Now people know about me a lot, and pay a little bit attention to me, so now we talk about Annika, me, and Karrie, so pretty much the big three in the LPGA."

Pak also said she doesn't shrink from the opportunity of playing two rounds with Webb to open this year's championship.

"I always like to play with a strong player," said Pak. "I just don't want to lose at the golf course. At the same time, it's exciting. I can learn something from Karrie. I can improve my game, and then I play well. I always like to play someone really good, even Annika."

Alex Miceli is a freelance writer whose work has previously appeared on www.uswomensopen.com. Ken Klavon contributed.