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Merit Club full of fond memories for Australia's Webb

It's been 16 years since Australian golfer Karrie Webb has stepped on the greens at Merit Club in Gurnee. Webb won the U.S. Women's Open at Merit Club back in 2000 and her memories of the course are still vivid.

"Well, it's great to be back here. I haven't been back to the Merit Club since 2000, so it's been a nice trip down memory lane for me," said Webb. "Just remembering that week of the U.S. Open in 2000, and obviously the course is not set up U.S. Open style, which I think we're all pleased about. This event should have a lot of low scores being shot in the best-ball format and lots of birdies, and that's how it's set up."

The Ayr, Queensland, native has gone on to win four major championships in her career since her victory at Merit and has become one of the most decorated female golfers of all time. She is currently tied for seventh all-time in major championships (7), has sole possession of 10th on the all-time wins list (41) and became a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.

Webb, 41, is now the elder stateswoman of Team Australia. With a team full of 20-year-olds, she says her responsibility and outlook on life has definitely changed since she was last here.

"I don't know if I'm sharing wisdom or they're giving me a hard time about being old," said Webb, laughing. "I said last night at the dinner that Minjee (Lee) and Su (Oh) were 4 years old when I won the U.S. Open here in 2000, so that kind of puts things into perspective."

Teammate Su Oh, who is paired with Webb in Thursday's opening round, realizes the opportunity she has to play with Webb and learn from her and doesn't take it for granted.

"She won the U.S. Open here in 2000, so we have a winner in the group already. I'm just trying to see what she does," said Oh. "I've always wanted to play on a team with Karrie, and she's just a really amazing role model. I can't wait to go out there and play really well and see how we do."

Lee will be paired with Rebecca Artis.

"This is the future," Webb said. "These three players are the future of Australian women's golf, and I just hope us playing together as a team, the experience they get from that helps them grow as players and takes them into the future with more experience and become better players and represent Australia for many years to come."

Webb and Oh will be in the first pairing of the UL International Crown on Thursday morning as Team Australia begins match play against Team Chinese Taipei at 8 a.m. Team USA tees off against England at 9 a.m. Gates will open for spectators at 7 a.m.

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Team USA looks to restore roar to Merit Club

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