Showing posts with label Evian Masters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evian Masters. Show all posts

Monday, July 25, 2011

LPGA Tour bottling Evian as major magic potion?

Golf commissioner Mike Whan recently announced the Evian Masters as the official "fifth major" on the LPGA Tour but, before being awarded "Championship status", a few changes needed to be made.


Unaware that the Evian Masters was already considered a major event on the Ladies European Tour schedule with, perhaps, many more fans (and even Tour players, see below) equally unaware, @LETgolf tweeted, and posted a blog, to confirm status on their Tour first:


"The Evian Masters presented by Société Générale, which is already a major on the Ladies European Tour schedule, will become a major championship on the LPGA from 2013 and will be renamed: ‘The Evian’."


In order for the Evian Masters to be "worthy" of major status and of becoming the new "Dinah" on the LPGA Tour, this is what is said will happen:

1. Name Change to "The Evian Championship"
2. Golf course redesign including the "Fantastic Finish" where fans can watch the final four holes from an amphitheater setting
3. Date Change for flow and so it doesn't interfere with the Women's British Open
Hmmm, perhaps a new crystal Evian bottle as the trophy? Will the ladies be encouraged to learn french?

LET golfers, however, believe that this event already has the Kraft Nabisco "fun factor".

Laura Davies, back-to-back Evian Masters winner in 1995 and 1996, described the tournament as “one of the best events of the year on and off the course.”

Lee-Anne Pace, 2010 LET Henderson Money List leader said: “It seems like it is the ’fun’ unofficial major of the year. People are more relaxed and the atmosphere is great.”

Unofficial? Didn't the LET say the Evian Masters was an "official" major event on their schedule?


Mike Whan stated that the schedule inclusion will give the LPGA something that it has been missing for quite some time, "major media, major fan appeal, a major field..."

"The Evian will be a tournament, a location, and an atmosphere that young women will strive to be part of for the next few decades," Whan continued.

Major disagreement! So far, weekend play only will be viewable on network TV, as are the other majors currently on the schedule; the field is already superior and the championship purse already matches with the U.S. Women's Open winnings.


The idea of a fifth major has come under fire by some and has been welcomed by others. Twitter responses, always short and to the point are always the most telling. Here are a few comments based upon hearing the news of a fifth major.

European Tour golfer Francesco Molinari's thumbs moved quickly after hearing the LPGA's plans: "What's all the noise about ladies fifth major? We have five, too. Everybody knows the Italian Open is the fifth major."

@USPuttingTour tweeted, "Quick. What are the other 4?"

In stark contrast, @crossgolfusa tweeted, "Like it. Golf should rest on tradition but not be constrained by it."

Ideas for an Asian major event, perhaps the HSBC Women's Championship, are also under consideration as the LPGA Tour is now dominated with top-level golfers from Japan to China: Ai Miyazato won the 2011 Evian Masters and Yani Tseng currently holds the number one spot on the LPGA money list.

Six majors? It could happen but would it help or hurt the LPGA Tour?

Senior Travel Editor of Golf Digest and Golf World, Matt Ginella, reflects my personal sentiments in a recent tweet:

"For a tour without a lot of tournaments, they sure have a lot of majors."

Evian bottle




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Monday, July 30, 2007

Wie flops again: new excuses needed for British Open, links golf tips and correct grip pressure

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A lower back injury two months ago forced Natalie Gulbis to reassess her golf swing. She had to take a month off and change her posture to compensate for the strain. Michelle Wie's wrist accident has forced her into a rehabilitative state which has, unfortunately, cost her more than a few cuts at inopportune times. This trauma has also changed the public's perception of the girl once considered to be the LPGA's answer to Tiger Woods.

Natalie Gulbis stepped up and was ressurrected at the Evian Masters this weekend, becoming a first-time Rolex winner. Michelle Wie is still struggling to compete aptly although finally making a cut after a year's worth of trials and tribulations. Two injuries with two separate and distinct outcomes. One golfer became a winner due to her injury, the other becomes more frustrated over time.

This week Golf for Beginners discusses Michelle Wie's uneasy level of comfort. How can she play well for two days with an injured wrist and then falter during the final two days? We don't believe her problems are totally related to her injury anymore but rather becoming a psychological issue, the battle to win rather than just compete.

Next stop for the LPGA (and Michelle Wie) is St. Andrews G.C. for the Ricoh Women's British Open. The Old Course is considered by some to be the "home of golf" and a links-style course, completely different than the parklike grounds of the Evian Masters Golf Club in France. This challenge will certainly prove the mettle of all the women on tour.

As Tiger Woods has stated before, "To win at St. Andrews is the ultimate."

We also give you a golf tip on how to keep your grip comfortable on the club during a trying round of golf. Grip is probably the one aspect of "G.A.S.P" that can save, or ruin, a round of golf!

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