Webb out of Masters

For the first time in almost two decades Karrie Webb will not take part in the Australian Ladies Masters tournament on the Gold Coast the tournament chairman Bob Tuohy has announced.

The 2012 Australian Ladies Masters tournament, which will be played between February 2 – 5 at the Royal Pines Golf Resort, is not on the schedule for Karrie Webb, Australia’s best female golfer, who, after an ordinary 2011 season, has opted to change her schedule and concentrate solely on the US LPGA Tour.

Webb’s first, and only, event of the 2012 season that features an Australian appearance will be the Australian Women’s Open in Melbourne which immediately follows the Masters tournament on the Gold Coast.

Clearly disappointed not to have his star attraction on board for the 21st time in 23 stagings of the tournament on the Gold Coast, Tuohy paid tribute to the player some refer to as the master of the Masters.

“I had a call from Tony Bouffler (Webb’s manager) that Karrie had made a decision,” Tuohy said. “All I can say is I respect that decision in her life pattern because she has been nothing but a fantastic supporter for all these years.

“Yes, there is obviously an air of disappointment but there comes a day when she can’t be here. To play 20 out of 22 is a wonderful commitment and we appreciate that.

“It was not a money decision. It’s a career decision on where she’s at in her life right now and we have to respect that. But next year’s Masters is still going to be a great event … we’re going to have a high quality field.”

Webb has won the Australian Ladies Masters tournament seven times out of all of her appearances, the most recent being a six stroke victory in 2010. In addition to her victories Webb has finished in second place four times making her the best performer on the course.

However Webb’s form that has seen her win only two events out of twenty events participated in throughout 2011 has forced her to focus on the US LPGA Tour.