Webb steps into unknown at Australian Open

Australian golfing great Karrie Webb can't recall the last time she stepped into the unknown.

But that's exactly what the Australian Open, starting Thursday, feels like.

Webb has played just one tournament - a team event - since September last year.

And her usual relentless practice routine is taking a back seat as she transitions to a part-timer on the LPGA Tour.

Webb says she's winding down her tour commitments, but feels up for the challenge of chasing a sixth national title at the Kooyonga course in Adelaide.

"I haven't put a pencil to a scorecard for a while," Webb said.

"It feels alright actually. It feels quite fresh this week.

"You just never know once there's that added pressure of the gun going off and you're actually counting for real.

"I feel pretty good, I'm pretty happy with the practice I have done so we will just see what happens."

The seven-time major winner said she was refreshed after deciding to put life before golf this year.

"That is what I hope the part-time thing is, that somehow. I can manage to not have to do the grind of all the practice," Webb said.

"That will be the juggling act because I have always been a grinder.

But I think mentally I'm going to be so much more looking forward to actually playing."

Webb is among a field featuring eight of the world's top 20 ranked golfers teeing off in Adelaide in an tournament carrying $US1.3 million ($A1.8 million) in prize money.