They’re Trying to Reach Green

If nothing else, the first season-ending women’s pro golf event already is the clubhouse leader in, well, initials--the ITT LPGA Tour Championship--and in subplots involving money.

For instance, can co-leader Karrie Webb see herself becoming the first Ms. Million as she stares through those darkly tinted wrap-around sunglasses as black as a $50 casino chip?

Can Laura Davies stop hitting her drives off cart paths and behind trees and make up three shots?

Naturally, there’s a lot at stake. Webb or Davies can become the first LPGA player to earn $1 million on the money list if they wind up winning today on the friendly Desert Inn golf club course, which is so short you could drop it in a slot machine.

Webb’s four-under 68 Saturday on the 6,324-yard layout made her feel confident enough.

“I put myself in the position to do everything, I guess,” Webb said.

Meanwhile, Emilee Klein found herself tied for the lead after Webb made up four shots on the back nine. But Klein said she may have an advantage.

“The pressure is more on her than me,” said Klein, whose 70 put her even with Webb at nine-under 207 after 54 holes.

“I’m just out there. It’s like a stroll in the park. I’m just playing golf and enjoying myself.”

Davies wasn’t enjoying herself much for most of the day, basically because she had trouble keeping the ball on the fairway and rolling into the hole. She finished with a 71, which means she is tied with Nancy Lopez, Julie Inkster, Michelle McGann and Brandie Burton.

Afterward, Davies was asked how to describe her round.

“Misery,” she said.

Maybe, but if she wins today, Davies can afford therapy to work through it.

If there is a key to the vault today, it’s probably how the leaders play the four par-five holes. For instance, Inkster played them in one over par. Klein played them in par, but Webb and Davies played them in two under par.

Webb doesn’t plan to stagger home, even if she might feel a little weary right now. She is playing her sixth consecutive tournament in her fourth country, which Webb characterized as “not a very good schedule.”

Still, it’s worth playing, especially with the chance to make money-making history.

“I had to tell myself it’s just one more week,” Webb said. “And it’s a big week.”

It should be pointed out that Davies’ big week almost ended sort of prematurely when she overslept on Thursday. Davies woke up 30 minutes before her 11:10 a.m. tee time, but she made it to the course on time and shot a first-round 69.