2006 Champion - Karrie Webb
SCORE: 270 (-14)   |  EARNINGS: $330,000   |  PURSE: $2.2 million

For the first time in the tournament’s history, the 2006 Michelob ULTRA Open hosted the top 50 LPGA players from May 8 – 14. With a $2.2 million purse, this event continues to rank as one of the top tournaments on the LPGA Tour. Karrie Webb earned $330,000 and her second LPGA Tour victory of the 2006 season, leading the tournament from the first round for her first Michelob UTLRA Open at Kingsmill title. Battling wind gusts in the mid-20 mph range, Webb shot a 1-under 70 during the final around to finish at 14-under for the tournament and earn a 7-stroke victory over now three-time runner-up Lorena Ochoa and Hee-Won Han at -7. Webb’s total of 66-68-66-70=270 (-14) for 72 holes is a tournament record, and made her the first LPGA Tour event champion of 2006 – and the first in Michelob ULTRA Open History – to lead an event from start to finish.

The tournament was covered on ESPN2, Friday-Sunday, with the final round concluding on Mother’s Day. Golf fans were able to experience exclusive insight, expert commentary and exclusive player interviews for the first time via a free webcast, Thursday-Sunday, on the tournament’s official web site at www.michelobultraopen.com. The webcast supplemented event coverage on ESPN2 by offering a live look at action from the 18th Green of Kingsmill’s James River Course, and featuring commentary and tournament updates by renowned golf analysts Jay Randolph Sr. and Mary Bryan.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday’s Education is Freedom Charity Pro–Am consisted of two shotgun starts on the River Course. LPGA professionals Charlotta Sorenstam (morning flight) and Kim Williams (afternoon flight) helped lead their teams to victory on a damp yet enjoyable day on the course.
  
• LPGA players cheered on their caddies as they participated in the Par 3 Caddie Tournament held on the Bray Links on Monday afternoon. The caddies also had a chance to win $10,000 in the Hole-In-One Contest. One caddie came within inches of capturing the prize. Fun, food, and camaraderie was shared by all.
  
• On Monday evening, participants in the Wednesday Michelob ULTRA Open Official Pro-Am event learned who they would be playing with during the luck of the draw at the Pro-Am Pairings party. The draw party was hosted by Natalie Gulbis and Lorie Kane. The evening also featured live LPGA player interviews with FOX Sports correspondent, Leeann Tweeden. Natalie Gulbis, Lorie Kane, Lorena Ochoa, Christina Kim, and Juli Inkster proved calm and collected in the hot seat.
  
• The “Fairways and Runways” Fashion Show and Luncheon was held in association with the Junior League of Hampton Roads and featured clothing by the following local merchants: Bella Fine Lingerie and Loungewear, Bettina’s, and the Pink Cabana. Rachel Becker, Merchandising Manager with In Style Magazine, spoke about fashion basics and hot trends for the season. The fashion show was hosted by Leeann Tweeden, FOX Sports correspondent and model.
  
• Taking a break from their practice day on the River Course LPGA players Liselotte Neumann, Laura Davies, Sylvia Cavelleri and Rachel Hetherington took time to give something back to the youth in the community assisting with Tuesday’s Junior Clinic. The LPGA Tour players and local professionals worked together to share their skills and teach juniors about the fundamentals of golf in an effort to encourage their interest in the game.
  
• LPGA players, tournament sponsors, and pro-am participants enjoyed a night of fun at the “ULTRA de Mayo” fiesta on Tuesday evening. Food, fun, fireworks, music, and even a few live animals delighted all in attendance.
  
• On Wednesday, a field of 232 amateurs was paired with the LPGA’s top 58 professionals for an exciting round on the River Course. Brittany Lang’s team was presented the top prize for their participation in the Michelob ULTRA Open Pro-Amateur Event during the Awards Ceremony that evening.
  
• Saturday’s Boys & Girls Clubs Charity Pro-Am presented by Cox Communications was a great success; Nina Reis’ team took first place at this tournament held on a beautiful day at the Woods Course. In both charity tournaments, teams of four amateurs were paired with an LPGA professional for a fun-filled round.
  
• The competition was strong during professional play, Thursday through Sunday. Weather was again a factor in 2006, as play was suspended on Sunday for 1 hour and 42 minutes due to a brief bought with a thunderstorm cruising along the James River.
  
• The “Toughest Hole” honor fell to the par-4 Hole 8. Players averaged 4.37 strokes on the 401-yard hole, with 24 birdies, 141 bogeys and 10 double-bogeys.
  
• Six moms on tour played on Mother’s Day Sunday: Kristi Albers, Laura Diaz, Pat Hurst, Juli Inkster, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Laurie Rinker.

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