Keen competition at rich Evian Masters
BY Bruce Young | Ladies European Tour | 2010 Evian Masters | Preview | 20 Jul 2010
The equal richest purse in women’s golf is played for this week when the jointly sanctioned Evian Masters is played in Evian les Bains, the resort town in eastern France and on the southern shores of Lake Geneva.
The event provides the perfect lead in to the Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale next week, which, although played for considerably less money, is a major championship of the LPGA schedule.
Worth US$3.25 million, the Evian Masters shares the billing as the most lucrative in the female game with the US Women’s Open and although not a major championship it has become one of the most significant on the LPGA and Ladies European Tours.
Ai Miyazato finally broke through for her first LPGA Tour title in this event twelve months ago and has since gone to join the very elite of the game. Miyazato is now ranked as the world’s leading female golfer having recorded four further victories and four top threes since her playoff victory over Sophie Gustafson last year.
She heads the list this week although understandably all the game’s leading players are in this week’s field and her task of defending will not be an easy one.
Na Yeon Choi might well provide Miyazato her greatest competition. The has been in great form this season with a recent win in Ohio and an impressive runner up finish at the recent US Women’s Open. With a runner up finish in this event two years ago much is expected from the 22-year-old this week.
Paula Creamer won her first major championship at the recent US Open and has a great record on this golf course having won the event in her very first appearance in 2005 and finished inside the top ten in four of her next five starts. Obviously she is in great form and stands a chance of winning the event for the second occasion.
Cristie Kerr was disappointing at Oakmont but her form prior was outstanding. Although she has not won this event she has often played well and it would be no surprise to see her bounce back to her earlier season form which of course included a stunning 12 shot victory at the LPGA Championship.
Sun Ju Ahn might well be a player to keep an eye on this week. The Korean won last week in Japan and currently heads the 2010 money list in that country. In her only start in this event in 2007 Ahn finished 6th and so brings knowledge of the layout and good current form to the table this week.
The Australian challenge is headed by the 2006 winner and regular placegetter Karrie Webb. Webb is not at the top of her game at present but has performed reasonably this season. This might be the event to get things back on track prior to one of her favourite events at Royal Birkdale next week.
Katherine Hull, Lindsey Wright, Tamie Durdin, Karen Lunn and Kristie Smith make up the balance of the Australian challenge. Sarah Jane Smith is an alternate but will be lucky to get a start.
