NEW ALBANY GOLF CLASSIC

September 29, 2000

Shani Waugh

SHANI WAUGH: Hit 5-iron on the 2nd to about twelve feet. The 4th missed the fairway; then consequently missed the green; didn't get it up an and down. Hit a 9-iron on the 5th to about three feet. Got up-and-down from the rough short of the green on the next birdie. Hit 6-iron to about 15 feet on 7. Hooked my tee shot on the 9th into the trees. Hit a pretty good recovery just short of the green; didn't get up-and-down.

SHANI WAUGH: Probably twelve feet. Hit just through the back edge of the green on the 10th and chipped in for birdie.

SHANI WAUGH: Probably nine yards. Hit a 9-iron into the 13th just on the back edge of the green and holed it from probably 20, 22 feet. 3-putt, 16, the front edge of the green. And birdied 18, 5-iron into about 15 feet behind the pin.

SHANI WAUGH: Two rounds. I think I was possibly 2-under after two rounds last year; played pretty ordinary on the weekend, I think.

SHANI WAUGH: Scary for us, isn't it if she thinks like that. I like the course. Last year when I played it, I think I had couple of good rounds. I really like the course. I think that is a big thing. It is pretty generous off the tee and the greens are quite large, so you still -- I putted well today. I still hit shots close to the pin, that is important. There is a couple of holes out there where there is a huge potential for disaster. I think so far I have managed to negotiate those holes pretty well. I have had some luck today. I chipped in and holed a putt from the back edge of the green. So I think so far things have been going my way. I holed a bunker shot yesterday - little things like that.

SHANI WAUGH: I think there is -- each individual hole is either a relatively straightforward hole or it is really tough and I think that is why you are seeing that. No sort of in-between holes. They are all either pretty straightforward or they are pretty scary holes.

SHANI WAUGH: Yeah, I have been on my everyday and watching it at night. And then in a way I wish I had gone back. It is always the same when you see your home from afar, it always looks much better than what it is. And Sydney looks great at the moment.

SHANI WAUGH: No. My sister lives in Sydney; even she is impressed with the way people in Sydney have -- well, people who organized the Olympics of what a good job they have done. I think it looks great on TV. In a way I wish I was there. Especially considering the Australians, they are doing quite well.

SHANI WAUGH: I know a couple. I know the Captain of the field hockey team. I went to university with her. And I think they haven't lost a game yet so they are doing well. That is the only one, actually. A couple of tennis players, but I think they have been knocked out.

SHANI WAUGH: June this year, first time I have been home in winter in ten years, it was nice.

SHANI WAUGH: First time I have been home during winter. Our season are the opposite of yours.

SHANI WAUGH: Yeah.

SHANI WAUGH: Here and played on the European Tour for five years before I came to the LPGA.

SHANI WAUGH: (laughs) I must admit, it was quite nice to see it in winter because our winters are mild. It is not snowing or anything like that. Time I go home is December, January, when it is stinking hot. It is not that comfortable being there at that time of the year. It is like being in Phoenix in July, August; not too comfortable.

SHANI WAUGH: I try not to -- I don't think I can compare myself to Karrie Webb in any way except to say we are both Australian because she is a different class, I think. I feel personally that she has had a huge influence on all of us and the only time we can is seeing how she succeeds sort of gives us hope, I guess, because you can come from a country that is a long way away and succeed. I don't expect to achieve anywhere near what she has done, but a little bit of it would be nice.

SHANI WAUGH: Yeah, I am five years older than her so my last two years in Australia was when she first started and even then, everyone knew she was going to be really good. We just didn't realize she was going to be this good. And when I saw her she was about 4' foot 10". You couldn't imagine her being a golfer, but she has grown a little bit since then and she is amazing. I don't think Australians at home comprehend what she has achieved.

SHANI WAUGH: I don't know. I think Australians tend to -- we have a syndrome in Australia called Tour Poppy Syndrome (phonetic) where we tend to knock out people who are successful and so that is just the Australian people knocking someone who is really good. And I think when Karrie is finished playing golf, maybe Australians will realize what she has achieved. I think it was really a pat on the back for Karrie for her to be asked to carry the Olympic flame and Karrie it at the time she did. Lots of Australians carry the flame, but to carry the day before the opening ceremony, I think was really a big recognition of what she has done and of women's golf as well, which in the past, none of us would have been asked. Because of what she is doing, she is helping all of us out.

SHANI WAUGH: Last year when I played here I was really struggling to keep my card, so I was under a lot of pressure. This week, I don't feel any pressure because, for me, it is the last tournament and I am in a much better situation this year than I was last year on the money list so there is no pressure like that for me. Obviously I want to play well. I am sure there will be pressure at some stage. But as far as between now and before I tee off tomorrow morning, I am going to be pretty relaxed, I think. Thanks.

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