She's only one year into her teens and won't be allowed to play full-time on the US LPGA Tour for another five years, but word is that 13-year-old Thai girl Aree Wongluekiet (pronounced Wahn-gloo-KEE-it) is the golfer who will eventually assume the mantle of golfing queen from Karrie Webb.
"The tour is lucky that they (Aree and twin sister Naree) can't be out here for another five years so we can make some money," quipped Webb after claiming the season's first major - the Nabisco Championship - in California on Sunday. Aree had just finished in tied-10th place in the event after finishing with a 75 for one-over 289 that included a two-stroke penalty. Wongluekiet was penalised two shots on the 14th green when the ball moved one-eighth of an inch after she addressed it. "I'm not very disappointed, I had a lot of fun," remarked Wongluekiet, whom Webb called "an amazing talent".
Webb's runaway 10 shot victory margin in the Nabisco - the largest winning margin in history on the women's circuit - was her fifth win in seven starts dating back to the Champions tournament last October. In the other two tournaments, she finished runnerup . . . which gives Webb every bit as good a strike-rate as Woods, and makes her by far the most dominant player on the women's circuit.
"It's such a rewarding feeling for all the hard work that I've put in," said the Australian. Webb earned $187,500 for her fourth US LPGA Tour win in five tournaments this year and brought her season's earnings to $611,629. However, if the Wongluekiet sisters have their way, then Webb has only another five years to make hay until they are eligible to play full-time on the tour.
Padraig Harrington will attempt to use this week's Sao Paolo Open to cure his perceived swing faults prior to his debut appearance next week in the US Masters at Augusta National.
Harrington, beaten in a playoff by Roger Chapman in the Brazil Open in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, his seventh runners-up place on the European Tour since last May and his second this season, and Philip Walton are the only two Irish players entered.
Meanwhile, Christy O'Connor Junior has decided to bypass the opening event of the European Seniors Tour in Barbados in favour of the Countrywide Tradition tournament in Scottsdale. However, there will be strong Irish representation in the Barbados Open with Eddie Polland, David Jones, David Higgins, Joe McDermott, Paul Leonard and Denis O'Sullivan all entered.
Keith Nolan, who has recently undergone laser treatment on his eyes, is first alternate for the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta this week but is likely to get a starting place as Australian Steve Elkington, who withdrew from the Players' Championship, is entered but not expected to play. Richard Coughlan and Conor Mallon, meanwhile, are competing on the Hooters Tour in North Carolina.
