When Karrie Webbaccepted the $330,000 check for winning last week's Michelob Ultra Open, AnnikaSorenstam had been gone for two days, having missed her first cut in 68 starts,dating back to the 2002 Weetabix Women's British Open. The contrast onlyhighlighted the seesawing fortunes of the two women who spent the late 1990sbattling for dominance: Between 1997 and 2000 Sorenstam won 17 times, whileWebb had 18 victories. Their rivalry fizzled when Sorenstam went on to win 43tournaments over the next five years and Webb triumphed only seven times. NowWebb, with a new swing and a reenergized approach, is on the way up, winningthe season's first major, then running off three straight top 10s before lastweek's victory, which made her the first multiple winner of the season.Sorenstam, meanwhile, took the third event of the year but has not seriouslychallenged for a title since, culminating in her MC at the Michelob Ultra. Isthere any bad news for Webb? The last time Sorenstam missed a cut, she returnedto win her next three starts.
Full Tilt
In a bid to keepplayers happy, EDS Byron Nelson organizers put a pinball machine in the lockerroom. The machine, auctioned for charity at the end of the event, saw plenty ofaction. One pro, Charley Hoffman, almost had to withdraw because of soreforearms. Hoffman gutted it out to tie for eighth at seven-under 273."Maybe sore arms help my game," he quipped.
ALSO ...
• The Dedmanfamily has hired Goldman Sachs to explore the sale of ClubCorp, the 50-year-oldDallas-based company that owns nearly 170 courses and private clubs. As part ofany deal, the family would buy complete ownership of the Pinehurst Resort,including all nine courses.
• David Evans, who on May 15 became the third Duke lacrosse player indicted inthe ongoing rape scandal, is the son of Rae Evans, the chair of the LPGA'sBoard of Directors.
• In his second event since parting ways with the caddie from his 2005rookie-of-the-year season--his father-in-law, Steve Lucas--Sean O'Hair shot afive-under 275 and finished 19th.
• The winner has come from Sunday's final group in 18 of the Tour's 19stroke-play events this year.
• Gary VanSickle's Inside Golf appears every Tuesday at SI.com/golf.
/ COURT ORDER + FREE RIDE *MISSED CUTS = COACH CASEY
"I don't think either of them should beprofessionals." --THE PEPPER MILL, PAGE G24
PHOTO
WIN MCNAMEE/GETTY IMAGES (WEBB)
BOTTOMS UP! Webb's triumph put her atop the money list.
SEVEN PHOTOS
ERICK W. RASCO (GRIPS); VINCENT LAFORET/GETTY IMAGES (MARTIN AND WOODS); CORBIS (CRUTCHES); J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP (SUPREMES); NICK WASS/AP (CART); DARREN CARROLL/ICON SMI (MARTIN SWING)
