Amy Yang joins world-class field at Evian Masters
IN: News | Ladies European | Evian Masters (2006) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 25 Jul 2006
Six months ago, 16-year-old Gold Coast based Korean Amy Yang took the golfing world by both storm and surprise when she headed a class field at the ANZ Ladies Masters and won in a playoff over American Catherine Cartwright.
Yang will face an even stronger field at this week's Evian Masters in France which brings together the world's best competing for the second richest purse in women's golf. Not that the money will make any difference to Yang at this stage as she remains an amateur, a status she will likely retain until the end of 2007.
Yang has also been granted a start at the Weetabix Women's British Open next week at Lytham St Annes.
The Evian Masters is into its seventh year and has been held at the Evian Masters Golf Club in Evian Le Bains in the mountains close to the French and Swiss border on each occasion. The area is perhaps best known for its world famous Mineral Water but the Resort is also very popular as a gambling destination, attracting visitors from around the world and from neighbouring Switzerland, which is a non gambling nation.
The golf course at the Evian Masters Golf Club was first constructed in 1904 with a nine hole course as an additional resort facility but was increased to eighteen holes in 1922. In 1988 the American designer Cabel Robinson was engaged to redevelop the course and it is now a 6,000 yard layout although for the women in this week's event it will measure just 6200 yards.
The Evian Masters has a huge purse of US$3 million with only the US Women's Open worth more. The field of 78 players brings together the best players the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour can assemble along with several invited guests including the aforementioned Amy Yang and the brilliant Japanese player Sakura Yokomine.
Paula Creamer is the defending champion and arrives in France after two very good finishes in recent weeks. She is peaking at the right time to defend her title.
Annika Sorenstam is a two time winner of the event and suffice to say will be the raging hot favourite to make it three. Sorenstam comes off six consecutive top tens on the USLPGA Tour which include that great win at the US Open.
Lorena Ochoa has done well in the event and although she does not appear to be at the peak she was earlier in the season surely she will be a contender. She was third in 2004 and runner up last year.
Two years ago, after losing her clubs in transit from London, Karrie Webb pulled out of this event and then took a month away from competitive golf. It was a low time in her golfing career but she is well and truly back in 2006. She has not been quite as good in recent weeks as she was earlier in the season but she could still do well.
Michelle Wie, the number two female golfer in the world, gets another chance to win her first LPGA Tour event and given her record in the bigger events, it is likely she will at least contend for that milestone.
Amongst the Australians, other than Webb, are Rachel Hetherington and Wendy Doolan, both surprise winners of this event previously.
Photo - Anthony Powter
