Seasoned professional Shani Waugh believes former world No.1 Karrie Webb is battling "demons" after surrendering her place as Australia's highest ranked golfer to another Queenslander Rachel Teske.

Waugh, who will tee up with some of Australia's top female golfers on Tuesday in the first round of the Jack Newton Celebrity Classic at Twin Waters, feels Webb is going through a mental slump with an element of "fear" creeping into her game.

The first rookie on the US women's tour to win $1 million in prize money in 1996, Webb won two majors in 2001 after setting the lowest scoring average on record in its 45 year history.

She lost her world No.1 ranking to Swede Annika Sorenstam in 2001 and this year ended the season outside the top 10 on the money list for the first time in seven years.

"I played with Karrie recently and she is struggling for the first time ever," said Waugh, coming off her best season with a European win and a play-off loss to Se Ri Pak in the US.

"Mentally it's been hard for her while Rachel keeps on improving every year.

"Karrie's not at her best mentally and her physical game doesn't look as sharp as it has been.

"For the first time ever I think there is some fear there when she stands over the golf ball and she is not used to that.

"I noticed it when I played with her in Atlanta but she'll come back, there's no doubt."

Waugh was not surprised to see Teske in the top 10 in the world.

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