2006 Evian Masters

Ever since the Evian Masters began to be jointly recognized by both the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour, it has become one of the preeminent women's golf events in the world. Evian helped this situation by treating the event as the world class event they wanted it to be. They have consistently raised the purse to keep it the second most lucrative event on tour (behind the US Women's Open). Even when the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open joined the schedule this year with a $2.5 million purse, Evian responded by jacking up the purse of their event to $3 million, just a hair below the US Women's Open itself. The players who finish in the top ten in the previous year's tournament are treated to a free stay at the resort, certainly one of the most luxurious venues the ladies play all year. And the views from the course of nearby Lake Geneva and Switzerland are stirring, to say the least.

Korean golfers have had success at this event, but no Korean has ever hoisted the trophy. Perhaps one of the most memorable tournaments came in 2002. Mi Hyun Kim had been working out hard since her winless 2001 season, in the hopes she could return to her previous great form. In fact, she not only returned to form, she had lost twenty pounds and looked fabulous. She responded by wearing fashionable, colorful clothes that flattered her new form. French TV, who were covering the event, responded by showing her nearly every chance they got. For Kimmie fans, who were used to the ordinary, bulky clothes she had been known for until then, it was an amazing transformation. And she responded by finishing in the top 3. Ever since, this has been a great event for her. This short course demands accuracy off the tee and on the greens, both talents Mi Hyun has in spades. And given that she was coming into this year's edition playing some of the best golf of her life, it seemed likely she would again contend.

Se Ri Pak had also done well at the Evian. In fact, one year she shot a 64, which still stood as the course record (tied with several other players). She was not at the 2005 event, and had finished poorly in 2004, but still had memories of good finishes in 2003 and earlier. Hee-Won Han and Grace Park had also managed top tens in France in the past. Grace had to miss a bunch of events this year owing to various injuries, but was hoping to return to competition at the Evian. However, she was not on the final entry list, and in fact has not played an event since. Hopefully she will be able to return to action in the near future.

In the first round, Mi Hyun and Se Ri continued their great play of recent weeks. Kimmie had won the previous LPGA event, the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, while Se Ri had finished fourth there. Se Ri's first round was one of the most impressive she had had all year. She hit 13 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens in regulation. Her putting was not quite up to that standard, but in general she was playing great. After putting up three birdies and a bogey, she reached the par 5 18th hole in two with a gorgeous approach that left her ten feet from the flag. She then dropped the eagle putt in to finish at 68, which left her at 4 under for the event and just a couple shots out of the lead. Mi Hyun played even better. Indeed, she was positively on fire, particularly on the front nine, where she made an incredible 6 birdies. If it weren't for a major misstep on the 8th hole, where she made a double bogey, she would have had a blemish free stretch. On the back she continued to play well, making three more birdies, including one on the final hole, and one bogey. Her 6 under par 66 left her in a tie for the first round lead with Australian Shani Waugh and Mexican Lorena Ochoa, who makes a habit of playing well in the first round.

There were some other great performances by Korean golfers as well, though not quite as good as Kimmie and Se Ri. Michelle Wie, who has finished in the top ten in every LPGA event she has played in 2006, started with a three under 69. Shi Hyun Ahn (pictured) shot a 2 under par 70. And Jeong Jang and Christina Kim started with one under par 71s.

A couple of golfers who do not usually play LET events also played here this year. The first was Bo Bae Song. Song has been a member of the Ladies European Tour ever since she won the Samsung Ladies Masters in Singapore, an official LET event, at the start of the 2005 season. She focuses on the KLPGA, but can't resist a chance to play in a huge money event like the Evian where there is no cut. She didn't do all that well at the 2005 Evian, but got out to a good start this year, carding an even par 72 in round one. The other golfer worth noting is another LET winner playing only her second LET event ever. That golfer is Amy Yang, who earlier this year became the youngest girl to ever win an event on any major professional golf tour when she won the ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia. A few months later, she was invited to play at both the Evian Masters and the British Women's Open the following week. Since then, she had been concentrating on preparing for these events instead of playing the usual amateur events in Australia, where she lives. Alas, her first round at the Evian turned out to be a struggle, despite all her preparations. She had two double bogies and a bunch of bogies and finished with a 7 over par 79. But she bounced back in a big way from that start with a four under par 68 in round two, then had an even par 72 on Saturday. Her final round 75 left her tied for 52nd in the end. Not too bad, considering the presence of so many top golfers in the field. Of course, she didn't make any money for her efforts, being an amateur. But the experience she gained was priceless.

In round two, Mi Hyun continued to hit fairways and greens, but her putter cooled down considerably. She did not make a bogey until the 16th hole, and that was the only blemish on her card. But she only made two birdies all day, on the 8th hole (ironically the one hole that had given her trouble on day one), and on 11. She had a shot at a birdie on 18, but was not able to convert a short putt there. Indeed, she seemed to burn a lot of edges with her putts, but some days, those close ones just don't fall. Her one under 71 left her at 7 under total, two shots out of the lead.

Se Ri cooled down a bit, too. Her driver and iron play was still solid, but not at the great heights she had displayed on Wednesday (the event takes place from Wednesday - Saturday so that they can have the pro am on Sunday). She was making more birdies, but she was also making more mistakes. Coming into the final hole, she had accumulated 5 birdies and two bogies and sat at 3 under par. Like on day one, she reached the green in two shots and left herself a very makeable eagle putt (perhaps just a couple of feet longer than the one she had made the previous day). But this time she just missed the eagle, and had to settle for the tap in birdie. Her second round 68 left her at 8 under par, just a shot out of the lead.

That lead, 9 under par, was held by a trio of stars who had played well all year. The first two were Karrie Webb and Lorena Ochoa, the top two players on the money list in 2006, who had both won twice in 2006. The third player was Michelle Wie, who had yet to win a professional event, but who seemed to put herself into contention every time she teed it up. Se Ri and Kimmie were close, but they had some work to do to beat the trio at the top of the leaderboard.

Some other Koreans were just a little further back. Jeong Jang sat at 4 under par after shooting a second round 69. Hee-Won Han was tied for 15th at 3 under, showing some signs of life after struggling much of the previous month. Shi Hyun Ahn was still at 1 under, and Bo Bae Song, Christina Kim and Meena Lee were all tied at even par.