Webb, who enjoyed an intense rivalry with Sorenstam in the 1990s and into the early part of this decade, said current world No.1 Lorena Ochoa and other rising young stars would keep the women's game interesting.

Sorenstam, 37, announced her decision to retire from competitive golf at the end of 2008 on Tuesday.

The Swedish superstar has amassed 88 career titles, 72 of them on the US LPGA Tour since 1994, including 10 major championships.

She was the LPGA Tour's golfer of the year eight times, her dominance from 1995 until 2005 only interrupted by Webb, who topped the rankings in 1996, 1999 and 2000.

"Obviously when a player of Annika's caliber decides to retire, I think it's going to be a big hole to fill," said Webb, a Hall of Famer from Australia.

"She's been a mainstay and been the No.

1 player in the world for many years and someone that's in contention each and every week.

"So to not see her out here or on the leaderboards or on TV, it will be a big void to fill.

I think that we have the talent to do that.

Obviously Lorena Ochoa is starting to fill that void now with the play that she's had in the last two or three years."

Webb said she wasn't surprised by Sorenstam's announcement.

Nampa-AFP

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