Karrie Webb has quickly put the golfing world on notice in 2007, romping to a six-shot victory in the $500,000 Women's Australian Open on Sunday.

Ranked third in the world after a resurgent 2006, Webb has made no secret of her desire to return to the top of the women's game this year and she made the perfect start to her quest at Royal Sydney.

The Queenslander was a cut above her competition all week in the event co-sanctioned by the European and Australian women's tours, finishing 10-under-par with rounds of 67-71-68 and 72 on Sunday to cruise to a third Open crown ahead of Taiwan's Yun-Jye Wei (74).

"Hopefully it's a good start to a good year," Webb said.

"Obviously four days ago I would've been happy to sit in the clubhouse at two-under so it exceeded my expectations to finish at 10-under on a very good golf course.

"I feel very good about things. After the two-month lay-off I had, to get straight back into it and play some very solid golf is very encouraging."

There were some minor slip-ups in a solid if unspectacular final round, but Webb was always in control, adding a 45th tournament victory to her resume.

Thankfully Wei also produced some solid form this week, preventing the tournament from becoming a one-woman show.

The Taiwanese world No.39 had a one-metre birdie putt on the ninth hole lip out that would have reduced Webb's lead to just two strokes.

Her challenge realistically ended on the next hole, when Webb sank a curling downhill putt to save par and Wei had to settle for bogey, restoring Webb's four-shot cushion.

Webb, 32, failed to produce her very best over the four days in her first event of the year but still had too much class and experience as she snared the $75,000 first prize.

Spain's Paula Marti (69) and Finn Minea Blomqvist (69) finished tied for third at two-under, a distant eight shots behind Webb.

American "glamour" golfer Natalie Gulbis, the only other player apart from Webb paid an appearance fee, slumped to a final-round 81 on Sunday to finish 14-over in a tie for 48th.

England's Laura Davies, who won the Open the last time it was held in 2004, also had a disappointing week, finishing in a tie for 44th at 13-over par after rounds of 73-77-74-77.

Young Queenslander Katherine Hull fired the round of the tournament on Sunday, a course record seven-under 65 that left her outright ninth at one-over par - and the second-placed Australian.

South African 17-year-old Ashleigh Simon was the leading amateur, finishing in a tie for 20th at five-over par.

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