As Australia’s greatest ever female golfer, Karrie Webb, has captured countless international and domestic tournament titles and received golfing awards since she burst onto the world golf scene in 1995.  She has now been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honour Roll.

Touted by five time major winner and Australian golfing great, Peter Thomson, as Australia’s greatest ever golfer, Webb has today been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Webb was overwhelmed with the news  “I have to say that I feel very humbled and I am deeply moved that my country would even consider me for this honour. I'm not entirely sure I feel worthy. Yes, I have had an amazing career, and yes I feel like I have contributed to the community in a small way, but I feel like I still have so much left to give and achieve!  I feel like this prestigious honour will continue to inspire me to help others and to give back.  It's not lost on me that I am leading a very blessed life.  I will always aim to do my best to uphold this amazing appointment!”

After a win at the Weetabix Women’s British Open in 1995, Webb joined the LPGA Tour in 1996 and won in just her third tournament. By the end of her rookie year, she had won four times and became the first player in LPGA history to win $1 million in a single season and she was the Rolex Rookie of the Year. Numerous wins would follow as she quickly became the dominant player on the LPGA winning six times in 1999 and seven times in 2000.

When she was inducted into the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame in 2005, the then 30-year old became the youngest member to be enshrined, only the fourth Australian, and the only female Australian.

Ten years on, Webb has accumulated 36 LPGA career victories including seven majors, and 9 international titles, including 6 Australian Ladies Masters and 4 Women’s Australian Open titles. In 2008 Webb was awarded Life Membership of Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) and her contribution to the game in her home country is highlighted by the fact that she has never skipped a major tournament appearance in Australia.  She has accumulated over US$16 million in career earnings and remains Australia’s highest ranked player, currently at number 9 on the official Rolex Women’s Golf World Rankings.

In 2007 Webb threw her support behind the nurturing of the next generation of female golfers when she created the Karrie Webb Series which each year rewards the leading two Australian amateurs with two weeks in the United States where they are personally hosted, mentored and introduced to the LPGA Tour.

The Order of Australia is deserved recognition for Webb who shares today’s honour with other Australian sporting legends including test cricketers Matthew Hayden and Dennis Lillee.