Sheehan Heads List Of Safeco Competitors Lpga Tournament Begins Today In Kent

The $550,000 Safeco Classic has no shortage when it comes to returning champions as the LPGA event kicks off today at Meridian Valley Country Club.

Eight former Safeco winners, accounting for 11 of the 15 tournament titles, will be on hand, led by three-time winner Patty Sheehan, who won the tournament in 1982, 1990 and 1995.

The 40-year-old Sheehan is the only golfer to win three Safeco titles. The Reno resident made a strong showing for a fourth victory last year but ended up in second place, two strokes back of then-rookie Karrie Webb with a 9-under 279 on the 6,241-yard, par-72 course.

Sheehan has 35 career victories but is winless this year in 16 events. Her top finish was a tie for fourth place in the Shoprite LPGA Classic in late June. Sheehan, an 18-year tour veteran who hasn’t played in more than 20 tournaments since 1993, hasn’t gone a year without a victory since 1987.

Sheehan’s best finish that year was second. It was the only time she’d been winless since her rookie year when she competed in just five events. She’s 48th on the money list this year.

Webb went on to win four tournaments last year and became the first player in LPGA history to win more than $1 million in a year as she topped the money list.

The Australian native has victories in the British Open and Susan G. Komen International this year, but is No. 2 on the money list behind Annika Sorenstam.

Sorenstam has won four of the 18 events she’s entered this year and won $913,838 to $802,993 for Webb.

With just eight tour events left in the year, the Safeco could be a chance for Webb to make up some ground on Sorenstam with another strong showing here.

Sorenstam finished tied for 14th last year and tied for sixth her first two years on the tour.

Joining Sheehan and Webb as returning winners here are Deb Richard (1994), Brandie Burton (1993), Colleen Walker (1992), Juli Inkster (1983, 1988), Jan Stephenson (1987) and JoAnne Carner (1985).

Others to watch for this week will be Tammie Green, fifth on this year’s money list, who has two tour victories in 1997. Green finished tied for third at Safeco last year, three shots behind Webb, and finished one shot behind Richard in 1994.

Atlanta resident Rosie Jones had four consecutive second-place finishes here from 1991 to 1994 and is always among the leaders.