One of Karrie Webb's proudest records is under siege from young superstar Yani Tseng but she's ready to fight to defend it.
The 36-year-old Queenslander will tee off in the Women's US Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs on Thursday with the tag 'youngest female golfer to win a career grand slam' still to her name.
Webb famously completed her set of the four major championship titles back in 2001 at just 26.
But it's a record 22-year-old Tseng is in the form to smash as early as Sunday, coming off her 10-stroke victory at the LPGA Championship two weeks ago.
That was Tseng's third major title from the last six and her fourth overall, but the US Open is the one she's still missing to become the seventh woman to win a career slam - and the youngest man or woman, surpassing Webb and Tiger Woods who was 24.
"Yani has stood out head and shoulders above most of us this year but there are a number of players who will be in the mix this week," said seven-time major winner Webb.
"I go into every US Open expecting it to be a very tough challenge but I'm excited and looking forward to it."
Webb, who won the title back-to-back in 2000 and 2001, finished in a respectable tie for 17th last year but is confident of a much stronger showing.
"Last year I went into the Open concerned about my putting and while I didn't have a bad tournament, I didn't get it done on the greens," she said.
"The Broadmoor is a course heavily dependent on putting and I'm confident I won't be stressing about it this time as my putter feels as good as it ever has in the last 10 years."
After Tseng's romp in the LPGA Championship and fellow 22-year-old Rory McIlroy destroyed the men's US Open in Bethesda to win by eight shots at 16-under, Webb was hopeful the USGA wouldn't take it out on the women this week.
The Broadmoor East Course will be set up to a par 71 and will play at 7047 yards, the longest in US Women's Open history although altitude and elevation changes come into play.
"Hopefully they (the USGA) will go relatively easy on us and just take it out on the men next year," she said.
"But the biggest challenge to overcome at the US Open is usually yourself because the course is going to demand the most of you and you have to stay mentally and physically tough."
Hall of Famer Webb, who dominated 'Tseng-style' in the past, finds herself now ranked 10th in the world but would become just the seventh player to win three US Open titles if she can prevail.
Having started this season on fire with wins at the HSBC Women's Champions and the Founders Cup the veteran is far from a spent force.
"If I can get into contention and in a position to win I can certainly draw on those previous Open experiences and many others to get it done," Webb says.
"Most of the players would say the US Open is the biggest and most important tournament to win on our schedule.
"The great names on the trophy and the history of the event mean there is great prestige that comes with being a US Open champion.
"I really feel this will come down to the final day and I hope to be right in the mix."
