While everybody in Australia is watching tennis, I'm hoping this Australian woman can bring back the enthusiasm of the LPGA Tour. I got into LPGA in 1999 because of Karrie Webb. Karrie was kicking major butt then. She won 5 majors and many tournaments from 1999-2001 period (now 7 majors and 36 LPGA tournament wins). But Karrie's personality appeals to me on a permanent basis. She has this determination and a insecurity mixed with a laid-back attitude. You just don't see this type of female in sports that brings fan attraction.
People in history will talk about Kathy Whitworth, Babe Didrikson, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright, and those other American "Fargo" golfers (yes, I'm going there). Great golfers and great people, but they were just something robotic and controlled by prejudicial forces. Louise Suggs comes to mind. Babe broke rules and norms and was hated by most white men and women for her success, but she had this fear about black people growing up in Texas. Therefore, she was dependent on white "haters" for acceptance.
I'm a fan of Grace Park, Se Ri Pak, and all those Korean golfers. The Johnny Yune type. Now that the LPGA is cracking down on them, you are starting to see them become what Babe Didrikson became — defensive and bigoted. Regardless whether you speak English or not, women, regardless of culture, still have to marry that "toad" man for acceptance and just maybe the toad will become a prince. Likewise, today's Korean golfers don't need to know English because they share the same "fear, work hard, and get respect" routine. The dependent Anglo-American way.
Karrie was different from those molds. She didn't have that societal conscience or that programming to be with a "toad." I know she was close-nit with her family, but it didn't come across as being snobbish or putting on heirs. Instead, it felt sincere and I watched her more. When her sexual orientation and her new partner were revealed, it didn't phase my love for her game. Yet when Rosie Jones came out, I didn't care or look. What is the difference between her, Annika Sorenstam, or Julie Inkster? And people complain about Ivan Lendl because he worked like a robot.
Karrie possesses that special charisma that only a few people do, much less athletes. The LPGA has got it all wrong in how they market a female player. Most athletes you watch because they have a chance to win, but if they lose, turn the clicker. With Karrie, regardless of the score, I just want to see her play. She just has an artist way about her game and herself. Of course with that cute accent, I have grown to adore that "chicken" neck, too.
In short, I love Karrie Webb. Bring back the noise.
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