NEW ALBANY GOLF CLASSIC

September 26, 2000

Karrie Webb

KARRIE WEBB: It definitely was -- I don't know if many of you know, but I carried the torch down there, as well, on the day before the opening ceremony. And it was -- I've told people that it's probably the best experience of my life. Tops everything I've ever done on the golf course. The night that I did it, there was a million people in the streets of Sydney on the route where the torch ran, and I was fortunate enough to be the last runner on a Thursday night and I got going up the stairs of the town hall in Sydney to light the cauldron for where the flag stayed overnight. It was just an unbelievable experience. And the Australian people -- I've never seen the Australian people so excited and so together and so behind one team. It was just really good to be down there. And then to spend the first week at the Olympics, I really didn't want to be over here to watch it. I wanted to be in Australia, at least, and I was fortunate enough to be at the opening ceremony. And I went to a few other events, and saw an Australian win a gold medal and a couple other medals. And it so it was something that I'll probably never get to experience again, and so I'm glad I did it.

KARRIE WEBB: I saw the opening ceremony and I saw a couple of the swim night finals, and went to the track and field on Saturday night and watched the men's and women's 100 meter final. So that was pretty cool. And watched some of the men's basketball and tennis and beach volleyball. I saw quite a bit.

KARRIE WEBB: Grant Hackett the 1,500 meter swimming final.

KARRIE WEBB: Yes and no. You know, it does, just because -- just to represent Australia, and also just to be around other top athletes at the top of their sport. I just really enjoyed watching that. And just to, you know, some of the Australians are under as much pressure as I've ever seen any athlete be under -- Susie O'Neill as well. Just that they peak at the right time, they did what was expected of them. And, you know, a lot of people expect me to play well every week, and I know how hard it is to do that. And for them to peak at the right them when the Olympics only comes around every four years, and it is in their backyard. I mean, the Australian media and the Australian public expect it a lot from our athletes. And all of them are, you know -- I think so far have won 13 gold medals, and we're setting records every day. You know, I just think it's great to see that and see the Australians come through, pull through like that with the amount of pressure that has been put on them down there.

KARRIE WEBB: Yeah, I think so. I just like -- just the whole atmosphere down there, sitting in the crowd and being a spectator for a change and getting to cheer for the Australians.

KARRIE WEBB: ... for the Solheim Cup -- and, you know, this year, there's the World Cup in Malaysia. I think, you know, I'll get my chance one day. There's talk about the Olympics -- golf being an Olympic sport. And the USGA is really pushing for that, and, you know, there is talk that in the next Olympics golf will be an Olympic sport --

KARRIE WEBB: No. I mean, obviously, you know, after last year, I didn't know how I was ever going to top what I did last year, because last year was the best year I had on TOUR; and just how you're going to come back the year after, and if you are going to improve or not have as good a year. So, you know, I didn't have a lot of expectations to play the golf I did last year, and I ended up topping last year and I had a better year this year which really amazes me. Winning The Nabisco Championship and the U.S. Open are two very special tournaments for me, and for me to go and win them, you know, the rest aside -- those were big moments for me and they are the biggest memories I have over the whole year as far as on the golf course. I started off the year so well, and then to top it off with the end of that run, winning The Nabisco Championship, that stage of my year was really just amazing. It's really hard to maintain week after week after week like that. I was just glad that I kept it going, because I really like that tournament and I like that golf course and to win that was special. And the U.S. Open, one of the biggest tournaments in women's golf, and to have one that. And I think that I'm fortunate to have won it in only my fifth try at it. I've got that under my belt now and I feel like -- with that tournament, I don't have the pressure on me to say that I haven't won the U.S. Open. But I've really had a good year. I've played very consistently and I've been in contention a lot. And that's all that I can ask, just to give myself as many chances as I can and try and close the deal ...

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