Three veterans, one rookie will tee it up
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
WAILEA, Maui — Today's ConAgra Foods LPGA Skins Game, in its debut at Wailea's Gold Course, features three skins veterans and rookie Laura Diaz.
• WHO: Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, Laura Diaz • WHEN: Today, 8:30 a.m. • WHERE: Wailea Gold Golf Course, Maui (6,414 yards, Par 72) • PURSE: $600,00 total: $20,000 first six holes, $30,000 next six $40,000 next five, $100,000 18th. Money carries over if no player wins hole outright • ADMISSION: $25. Children 12-under free with ticket-holding adult. Available at Wailea Golf Club pro shops and the gate.
Laura Davies, who won the last LPGA Skins Game in 1998, holds nine skins records and is the only player to win twice in the eight-year history of the event. She has collected a record $890,000 in four previous appearances. She has an interesting take on the format.
LPGA Skins Game
"It's zero pressure," Davies says. "You just hope to make some putts and win some money. Having said that, I will say that the most pressure I ever felt was before I made a putt for $300,000. That can make you feel nervous."
Davies won the 1998 Skins with $270,000. Karrie Webb finished second, Annika Sorenstam third and Nancy Lopez fourth. Sorenstam won the previous year, defeating Davies, Webb and Dottie Pepper. In 1996, Davies won a record $340,000, capturing 10 skins and $300,000 on the 14th hole.
Other winners were Dottie Pepper (1995), Patty Sheehan (1994), Betsy King (1993), Pat Bradley (1992) and Jan Stephenson (1990). There was no tournament in 1991.
This year's LPGA Skins foursome has won a combined 147 tournaments, including 14 majors, and $26,847,492 on the LPGA Tour. Sorenstam has won five Rolex Player of the Year Awards since 1995 while Webb has won two. Davies was the 1996 Player of the Year and finished first on the Women's Professional Golfers' European Tour Order of Merit in 1985, '86 and '96.
