Associated Press
Thursday, May 18

BEAVERCREEK, Ohio -- A warning to all players in this week's Firstar LPGA Classic: Karrie Webb likes the course.

"I have good feelings already," the Aussie said after playing 18 holes at the par-72, 6,302-yard Jack Nicklaus layout at the Country Club of the North.

Webb, who has won four of the seven tournaments she's entered on the LPGA Tour this year, praised the condition of the course.

"The greens are rolling good," she said. "There are some good holes out there that make you think about different shots. All of the par-3s are really good."

Three of the top five money-winners on this year's tour will be in the $650,000 tournament outside Dayton.

No. 1 Webb and No. 5 Annika Sorenstam, the leading money-winner in 1995, 1997 and 1998, will make their first appearances in the seven-year-old tournament.

No. 3 Laura Davies, the long hitter from England who won this event in 1996, is also in the 144-player field competing for the $97,500 first prize.

Not coming is Pat Hurst, who went wire-to-wire to win the inaugural Electrolux USA Championship in Franklin, Tenn., last week. Dottie Pepper, No. 4 on this year's money list had planned to come but withdrew because of a recurring wrist injury.

Rosie Jones will be back to defend her title when the 54-hole tournament begins Friday. Last year, Jones parred the fourth playoff hole to beat Becky Iverson and Jan Stephenson and win the tournament. The three were tied at 9-under 207 after the final round.

Organizers are trying to line up a sponsor to ensure that there is a tournament next year. Firstar has decided not to renew, and contracts with the LPGA and Country Club of the North expire after this year's event.

Tournament director Burch Riber estimates the purse will have to be increased to about $1 million to remain on the tour.

"That $650,000 won't sail anymore," Riber said. "We are incredibly fortunate to have the kind of field we have this year with the purse we're paying."

Riber said TV is the key.

"Once we can go to corporate sponsors with a date and the assurance of television coverage, we have a chance," he said.