Golf-Mission Hills expert Webb has great expectations

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

RANCHO MIRAGE, California, April 1 (Reuters) - Twice winner Karrie Webb has great expectations for this week's Kraft Nabisco Championship after ending a two-year title drought on the LPGA Tour three days ago.

Australian Webb clinched her 36th career victory on the U.S. circuit at the LPGA International in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, the perfect confidence boost for the first women's major of the season.

"Winning last week was great," the former world number one told reporters on the eve of Thursday's opening round at Mission Hills Country Club.

"A lot of hard work finally put it all together for four rounds in a row. I've been hearing the word 'close' for a couple of years now and it was starting to wear down on me, hearing I'm close but not putting the scores on the board.

The seven-times major champion, who triumphed by two shots in Phoenix after closing with a 67, has a strong affinity with Mission Hills.

Webb will be making her 14th appearance at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, an event she won in 2000 and 2006.

"I can't believe I'm saying I've got almost a decade-and-a-half of experience around here," the 34-year-old said. "I've played the course in just about every wind and weather condition that you can.

Webb has vivid memories of her thrilling victory here in 2006 when she came from seven shots behind leader Lorena Ochoa in the final round.