The top ten LPGA money leaders travel to the Evian Masters Golf Club in France this week seeking glory and a piece of the $2.5 million purse. A whopping $375,000 will be claimed by the one person who can successfully contend against a field which runs the gamut from the number-one female professional golfer on tour to the most extensively discussed amateur golfer in the world today.
In addition to Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie flying to the city of Evian-les-Bains, Wendy Doolan will be on hand to defend her 2004 one-stroke victory which she took convincingly from Sorenstam after trailing by five strokes.
The flavor in France is “international” as twenty nations will be represented this week. The list of contenders reads like a who’s who on the LPGA and European Tours. Several 2005 Tour winners will be in this city famous for its springs to try and add an additional trophy to their expanding mantles.
The most well-known international name is none other than Annika Soresntam. Taking a break for several weeks after two losses, the Swede already has trophies from the first two major championships of 2005 and a total of six wins this season. With victories at the Evian in both 2000 and 2002 and a runner-up status last year, the par-72, 6,192 yard course is one of Annika’s more successful venues.
In sharp contrast to Annika but working her way to rock-star status is 15-year-old Michelle Wie. With sponsor’s exemptions that led to four top-20 finishes, two runner-up positions and thirteen straight cuts made the Hawaiian amateur made a move against the men in the Publinks with an eye towards an invitation to the 2006 Masters. Although she was defeated in the quarter finals, the “Big Wiesy” put on a terrific show. That’s what the public wants anyway Michelle so keep up the good work!
International golfers include South Korean Meena Lee who surprised viewers with a win at last week’s Canadian Open. HSBC champion and Columbian born Marisa Baena defeated Lee in the final round to capture her first victory ever on tour. First-time champions on the LPGA Tour Jimin Kang and Birdie Kim will see if their success is only fleeting or the vision of things to come. And, I can’t forget to acknowledge the ever challenging “John Daly-esque” British import Laura Davies who pounds a driver long and accurately both off the tee and on the fairway with remarkable results!
Representing the United States on foreign soil will be rookie Paula Creamer who successfully garnered her first trophy at the Sybase Classic and rests comfortably in the number four position on the ADT Offical Money List. Veterans Juli Inkster and Rosie Jones, winners of multiple majors and LPGA tour events will lend excitement to the final field.
Number two on the money list Cristie Kerr won early in the season but nagging injuries have kept her out of the winner’s circle. Hopefully Kerr’s injuries won’t prevent her from competing this week.
Natalie Gulbis rounds out the field attempting to break through after her long list of top-ten’s and win her first tournament of 2005. Natalie now claims the fifth position on the money list right below Creamer separated by just over $50,000 in earnings.
This is a challenging golf course with enhancements including well-defended greens and narrow fairways requiring skill and pinpoint accuracy. Waterfalls, a new 18-hole green and magnificent views of Lake Geneva are just a few of the reasons why the ladies are so excited at the prospect of competing here each year since 1994.
The Evian Masters will be televised on The Golf Channel from
July 20th through July 23rd from 7:30-9:30 pm (ET).