Australia, May 26: An Australian golf promoter hopes Karrie Webb will follow in the footsteps of Annika Sorenstam and take part in a men's tournament. Sorenstam became the first woman to play in a men's event for 58 years when she took part in the Colonial tournament last week.
Although Sorenstam missed the cut by four strokes, her appearance created huge publicity - and Australian promoter Tony Roosenburg is hoping for the same with Webb.
"I would love for Karrie to be one of the 10 invitees at the Heineken," said Roosenburg, who is a director of the Heineken Classic and Australian PGA tournaments. "It's not very popular with the (Australasian) PGA... but we have to survive as promoters and this is a funny gimmick that would be really popular."
Australasian PGA Tour boss Wayne Grady said he thought it was pointless asking Webb but added he would not try and block the move. "I don't see the point in continuing it. If the best player in the world has gone and done it, what are we going to prove by having more of the same?" he said. "Why have the number two and number three and number four out there?
"If the promoters in Australia feel they need to invite Karrie, well, that's up to them and we won't be trying to stop them at all.



"Annika's a fantastic player and everyone's jumping on the bandwagon and wanting to invite the women over.



"But at some stage this will blow over and we'll all get back to doing what we normally do."



Australian Webb was ranked number one in the world a few years ago but is now third.


Bureau Report