Evian Masters Presented by Société Générale
Evian Golf Club
Evian-Les-Bains, France
July 19 & 20, 2011
Pre-tournament notes and interviews
Jiyai Shin, Rolex Rankings No. 4
Ai Miyazato, Rolex Rankings No. 10
Lexi Thompson, Rolex Rankings No. 124
Michelle Wie, Rolex Rankings No. 11
LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, Danone CEO Franck Riboud and Evian Masters Tournament Director Jacques Bungert were joined by Rolex Rankings No. 1 Yani Tseng, No. 2 Cristie Kerr, No. 3 Suzann Pettersen and No. 9 Karrie Webb for a special press conference Wednesday. Beginning in 2013 the Evian Masters will become "The Evian", the fifth major championship on the LPGA Tour schedule. The event will be played the second week of September as the last major of the season and will feature broadened and enhanced worldwide television coverage. The field will maintain its global feel, continuing to attract the best players from around the world to compete on a completely redesigned Evian Golf Club.
Major commitment: Earning the distinction as an LPGA Major has been an 18-year evolution for the Evian Masters. The event has made a major commitment to women's golf and the LPGA Tour in its 18-year history as first, an event on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in 1994, and later, in 2000, as a con-sanctioned tournament on both the LPGA and LET schedules. The Evian will extend that tournament long-term as a major championship.
Major history: The event has a rich history of attracting the very best in the women's game from around the world to Evian Mountain and has cultivated an impressive and culturally diverse list of champions, including LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members Annika Sorenstam, Juli Inkster and Karrie Webb; Laura Davies, the winner of 72 worldwide titles; and recent Rolex Rankings No. 1's Jiyai Shin and Ai Miyazato. The event has also traditionally awarded invitations to players from emerging golf markets like China, India, Russia and Slovakia.
Major purse: The current Evian Masters began its legacy of taking women's professional golf to new heights when it landed on the LPGA Tour schedule in 2000 with a purse of $1.8 million, helping to push overall purse levels on the LPGA Tour beyond what they had ever been. Its current purse of $3.25 million is the highest on the 2011 LPGA Tour, matched only by the U.S. Women's Open.
Major TV: The LPGA and The Evian will work together to significantly broaden and enhance worldwide television coverage, to include elements such as pursuing network TV in the U.S., additional hours of coverage, HD production, increased promotion and other production enhancements. The event has continued to increase its worldwide exposure through the years, most recently utilizing European PGA Tour productions to produce the event and broadcasting its coverage in the U.S. via Golf Channel.
Major Course: The Evian Golf Club will undergo a multi-million dollar renovation led by U.S.-based designer Steve Smyers and European Golf Design (EGD). Virtually every tee box, green, bunker and fairway will be redesigned, including dynamic changes to the final four holes each of which will be played into, and around, a huge spectator amphitheater setting, providing a memorable closing stretch for competitors and fans alike
Major buzz! "The Evian" was the talk of the mountain today at the Evian Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France. Defending champion and Rolex Rankings No. 4 Jiyai Shin and a host of other former Evian Masters champions expressed their excitement over the Major announcement.
"It's good for the players because we have more chances for a major win," Shin said. "In Europe, the Women's British Open was the only major tournament and now Evian is becoming a major. I think it's really good because golf is very popular in Europe. I am really thankful to Evian as a sponsor. They are very supportive of the tournament and this is a great thing for them."
"Adding a fifth major feels a little bit strange but a long time ago, the LPGA only has two majors so it's nice to have five majors, "said Rolex Rankings No. 10 Ai Miyazato who became a Rolex First-Time winner at the 2009 Evian Masters. "It's going to be interesting. To be honest, if you just look at the purse it's like a major. It's always a good crowd at this tournament, especially on the 18th you can see how big the stands are behind the greens."
"The Evian Masters exemplifies everything a premiere Championship represents," said Natalie Gulbis, the 2007 Evian Masters champion. "It showcases the best players in the world on a beautiful golf course... Among players it is always a favorite on the schedule."
The 2011 Evian Masters Presented by Société Générale will officially kick off on Thursday in picturesque Evian-Les-Bains, France. A field of 111 players, including 16 of the top 16 players in the Rolex Rankings, will be competing for a $3.25 million purse. It's tied with the U.S. Women's Open as the largest purse in all of women's golf for the 2011 season.
Going for a repeat: Defending champion and Rolex Rankings No. 4 Jiyai Shin will try to make it back-to-back wins in Evian. Last year, Shin birdied the par-5 18th hole at the Evian Masters Golf Club to capture a one-stroke victory over Lexi Thompson, Morgan Pressel and Na Yeon Choi and secure her eighth career victory on the LPGA Tour. Three of Shin's eight LPGA Tour victories came in 2008 prior to her officially becoming a member of the Tour. She also won three times in her rookie year in 2009
Shin's victory at the Evian Masters last year was her first of two wins in 2010 en route to finishing the season as Rolex Rankings No. 1. Shin also won the 2010 Mizuno Classic She was just the third player, including Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, to earn the distinction of finishing a season in the ranking's top spot. Shin has yet to capture a victory on the LPGA Tour this season, although she joked in her press conference on Wednesday that "it's time to win" after recording her fourth top-10 finish this year at the U.S. Women's Open two weeks ago.
"I changed a lot [this year]," Shin said. "I changed the caddie and my coach, and I did Lasik surgery, too. A lot of people worry because so many things change, but, yeah, I think ‑‑ I feels like it makes more better, so just take a little bit of time. But I think I played well, just a little bit up and down. Still, I think I played good. And just my putting, sometimes my putting doesn't work. But I'm practicing a lot, so maybe the good feeling is coming."
Making more memories? Ai Miyazato became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2009 Evian Masters and she said that there are plenty of great memories for her at this tournament.
"I can't believe two years have already passed," Miyazato said. "But I remember everything since couple years, and it's still like yesterday. You know, this golf course is really good shape always and nice views and the food is good and the people treat us very nice. It's always nice to be here."
Miyazato is coming off her best finish of the 2011 season, finishing in a tie for sixth at the U.S. Women's Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. It was her second top-10 finish of the year.
Check out the app: In 2010, the Evian Masters became the first LPGA Tournament to launch an iPhone application. This year, the tournament has taken another first step by launching an iPad application. Fans who would like to follow the Evian Masters can download applications for the iPhone and the iPad to keep up with this year's tournament.
The winners of the second annual LPGA Global Media Awards Presented by Rolex will be named on Friday night at a special gala event at the Hotel Ermitage. A few of the top journalists and photographers will be honored for their work covering the LPGA. There are six categories (two for the written press and four for photographers). A member of the media will also be honored as the winner of the Rolex Award for Media Excellence for his or her long-time achievement in media coverage of women's professional golf. And in a new category this year, an LPGA player --chosen by a panel of prominent journalists who cover the LPGA Tour -- will be honored with the Media Appreciation Award for her excellence in working cohesively with the media on a regular basis.
Tournament update: The Imperial Springs China, which was postponed earlier this season, will now be played September 29-October 2.
The LPGA will officially kick off the Evian Masters Presented by Société Générale on Thursday afternoon in picturesque Evian-Les-Bains, France. Defending champion and Rolex Rankings No. 4 Jiyai Shin headlines a field of 111 players competing for a $3.25 million purse, which is tied for the largest purse on the LPGA Tour for the 2011 season.
Last year, Shin birdied the par-5 18th hole at the Evian Masters Golf Club to capture a one-stroke victory over Lexi Thompson, Morgan Pressel and Na Yeon Choi and secure her eighth career victory on the LPGA Tour. Three of Shin's eight LPGA Tour victories came in 2008 prior to her officially becoming a member of the Tour. She also won three times in her rookie year in 2009
Shin's victory at the Evian Masters last year was her first of two wins in 2010 en route to finishing the season as Rolex Rankings No. 1. Shin also won the 2010 Mizuno Classic She was just the third player, including Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, to earn the distinction of finishing a season in the ranking's top spot. Shin has yet to capture a victory on the LPGA Tour this season.
Golf and school can mix: Michelle Wie prides herself on the success that she's been able to have on the golf course but she's equally as proud of the fact that she's inching closer to securing her college degree. Wie, who is a senior at Stanford University, has long had to balance the demands of school and golf. But recently her pursuit of a college education while playing on the LPGA Tour has drawn more attention and Wie has been left to answer questions about her decision to do both.
"Education has always been very important to me, especially ever since I was young," Wie said. "Knowledge and education, I believe are very powerful tools for young adults. I also believe that your sport, your career is also important.
But I didn't want to have to give up my education. I think that college is a lot more than just education and books. For me, I think it was a very important step for me to go to Stanford and to experience actually living on campus, kind of making it on my own, as one can say. People that have gone to college know that you do grow. For me, being out here spending a lot of time when I was younger, it forced me to grow up a lot faster. I think I needed this step in my life, and I don't regret any of it."
Seven former champions of the Evian Masters don the field this week. Defending champion Shin is joined by Ai Miyazato (2009 winner), Natalie Gulbis (2007), Karrie Webb (2006), Paula Creamer (2005), Juli Inkster (2003) and Laura Davies (1995 and 1996). Davies' two victories came prior to the Evian Masters becoming an official LPGA event. When she won her two titles, the Evian Masters was still sanctioned by the LET. The tournament 18-hole record is held by Helen Alfredsson who carded a second-round 63 en route to her victory in 2008. The 72-hole record is held by Juli Inkster at 21-under par.
A total of 10 sponsor invitees will be competing at this year's Evian Masters. There are four LPGA Tour members (Mariajo Uribe, Cindy LaCrosse, Grace Park and Julieta Granada), five LET members (Maria Verchenova, Caroline Rominger, Anne Lise Caudal, Sophie Giquel and Caroline Alfonso) and one member of the WGAI in India (Sharmila Nicollet).
The winners of the second annual LPGA Global Media Awards Presented by Rolex will be named on Friday night at a special gala event at the Hotel Ermitage. A few of the top journalists and photographers will be honored for their work covering the LPGA. There are six categories (two for the written press and four for photographers). A member of the media will also be honored as the winner of the Rolex Award for Media Excellence for his or her long-time achievement in media coverage of women's professional golf. And in a new category this year, an LPGA player --chosen by a panel of prominent journalists who cover the LPGA Tour -- will be honored with the Media Appreciation Award for her excellence in working cohesively with the media on a regular basis.
JIYAI SHIN, Rolex Rankings No. 4
MODERATOR: We'd like to welcome defending champion, Jiyai Shin, into the interview room. Thanks for joining us today. First off, just thoughts on being back here after winning last year.
JIYAI SHIN: Well, I really happy to come back here because this is my favorite place. So I'm all the time happy to playhere. Actually very sunny, nice dry place here, but I'm very surprise when I came to here it's so cold and rainy. Feels like it's Scotland. But hopefully no rain next few days. Well, I have a lot of good memory on this course, so I feel really good.
MODERATOR: Let's talk about your season a little bit. No wins so far, but you've had some pretty good performances, a few runner‑up finishes. How do you think your game is coming into this week?
JIYAI SHIN: Actually, last year also before this week, before Evian, I didn't win. This is my last year first time win on this course, so I think it's time. (Laughter.) Yeah, it's time to win. I know a lot of my fans waiting, and I'm also very waiting for the win. I think I prepared last couple days, so I feel like I really ready.
MODERATOR: What do you think has been the difference between your runner‑up finishes and not getting that win so far this year?
JIYAI SHIN: I changed a lot. I changed the caddie and my coach, and I did a Lasik surgery, too. A lot of people worry because so many things change, but, yeah, I think ‑‑ I feels like it makes more better, so just take a little bit of time. But I think I played well, just a little bit up and down. Still, I think I played good. And just my putting, sometimes my putting doesn't work. But I'm practicing a lot, so maybe the good feeling is coming.
MODERATOR: You talked about how much you love this place and this course. What is it that you love aboutthe golf course itself?
JIYAI SHIN: It's really just beautiful. It's a lot of flowers, a lot of trees, and we can see the lake on the course. Actually, here this course is on the mountain, so very similar to what Korean golf course, too. So when I play, I feel very calm, very comfortable. And nice people.
There's just only one tournament in France. So I think very charming, like French, somebody speak French is very charming. So when I came to here, I love to listen to French. I try to speak French, too, but it's too tough. Yeah.
Q. Who is your new coach?
JIYAI SHIN: His name is Glen Daugherty. He's from San Diego. He teaching for long time Yani. Yani change the couch a couple years ago, but before he teaching Yani. After I change I get a little bit more distance, about 15 yards, like Yani. Not enough, but...
Q. Your old coach, is he back at home, that you needed to change, or was he in America? You had a coach before this one. Was he in America or back at home in Korea?
JIYAI SHIN: He's in USA, yeah.
Q. Oh, I see. So you changed one American coach for another?
JIYAI SHIN: Yeah.
Q. And your caddie, are you back with Dean Herden or not?
JIYAI SHIN: No, I still good friend with Dean, but I change new caddie since January.
Q. Is that because Dean's parents are ill or something?
JIYAI SHIN: Yeah, he want to care about his mom. He was traveling all the time, too so you wanted to more care about his mom.
Q. You heard you speak French last night. What were you saying?
JIYAI SHIN: Well, just simple things like bon jour, comment allez‑vouz.
Q. What do you know about Carnoustie?
JIYAI SHIN: Well actually I never been there, but my caddie, last week he went there, so he already talking about the course. He said, That's my course, too. But this week I'm here, so I'm more focused on this week. When I go to there, I focus on that course.
Q. Your caddie's name as well?
JIYAI SHIN: Shaun Clews.
Ai Miyazato, Rolex Rankings No. 10
MODERATOR: We'd like to welcome Ai Miyazato into the interview room. Ai, thanks for joining us.
AI MIYAZATO: Thank you.
MODERATOR: You're coming off a great tournament at the U.S. Women's Open, having finished in a tie for sixth. How do you feel about your game coming into this week?
AI MIYAZATO: I'm feeling good. Like you said, I play very good at the U.S. Open, and my confidence is coming back. I'm in good shape.
MODERATOR: What was the biggest difference for you in that tournament, because you seemed to put everything together?
AI MIYAZATO: U.S. Open? It was really hard work. You know, like always just setting up‑wise it's very difficult. But I just trying to be really simple, like try to hit the fairways and the greens, like almost same I did the tournament, so it worked.
MODERATOR: You won your first ever LPGA event here at Evian back in 2009. What are your thoughts on this golf course and the memories you have when you come back here?
AI MIYAZATO: I have such a great memory from this tournament. I can't believe it's already past two years. But I remember everything since couple years, and it's still like yesterday. You know, this golf course is really good shape always and nice views and the food is good and the people treat us very nice. You know, it's always nice to be here.
MODERATOR: Talking with some of the other players, everybody always talk about how this is one of their favorite places to come.
AI MIYAZATO: Yeah.
MODERATOR: What makes it so special?
AI MIYAZATO: I don't know. Just feels like atmosphere is probably different than other tournaments, you know, it's nice and relaxed. As soon as tournament starts, it feels completely different because everyone is getting competitive. It's always good balance, like nice and relaxed, but in the tournament you need really focus when you play on this golf course.
LEXI THOMPSON, Rolex Rankings No. 124
MODERATOR: You're back in France after a runner-up finish at last year's Evian Masters, the best so far of your young career on the LPGA Tour. How exciting is it for you to be back here at a place where you have such great memories?
LEXI THOMPSON: I'm extremely excited. This tournament brings back so many memories, especially that last putt and all of the fans out here were great. It's an awesome tournament.
MODERATOR: Can you talk a little bit about this season and what it's been like for you? You've played in four LPGA events prior to this week's Evian Masters but probably haven't had the consistency that you'd like to have so far this year.
LEXI THOMPSON: I definitely haven't played as well as I would like to but I've been working on my game a lot in between events. I feel pretty good. I played pretty well with my pro-am group today. I had a lot of fun so I'm looking forward to this tournament.
Q. What are your hopes this week? You tied for second last year so you set the bar pretty high. Can you match that or go better than that?
LEXI THOMPSON: I'm just not going to think about that. Just play my game and just try to play consistent. It's all about placement out on this golf course. So just take one shot at a time.
Q. Are you going to go to Tour school at the end of the year?
LEXI THOMPSON: I actually go to the first stage of Q School after this event. It will be in Daytona. The first stage.
Q. Does that mean you are not playing in the RICOH Women's British Open?
LEXI THOMPSON: I was going to play in the Monday qualifier for it but I have to go to the first stage.
Q. Disappointed with that or are you more focused on the excitement of looking forward to getting your Tour card?
LEXI THOMPSON: A bit of both. I'm really excited to have a chance to play out here more but I was looking forward to having a chance to play in the British. So it's about even.
Q. Is there one part of your game that hasn't been as consistent as say it had been last year? Do you think it's your driving, your putting or can you even put your finger on what hasn't been quite as good?
LEXI THOMPSON: Maybe just driving a little bit. I might be a little more crooked. But I hit it really well today so I might have figured something. It's so close. This game is all about little adjustments.
Q. You were over here for the German Open. How did you like it?
LEXI THOMPSON: I love that tournament. A lot of people came out too. So it was just run so well. Every tournament over here in Europe I have loved. It's been an honor to play in them.
Q. What other tournaments have you played in on the LET?
LEXI THOMPSON: The Australian Open, the ANZ Masters, the German Open and I'm playing in the Irish Open. I played in the Dubai Ladies Masters last year. I have just loved every tournament.
Q. You have gotten some international flair
LEXI THOMPSON: Laug Yeah I definitely have. It's a lot of traveling but I love it.
Q. Have you learned how to deal with the jet lag?
LEXI THOMPSON: A little bit. When we got here we slept for like four hours and then came out and played and tried to stay up as late as we could but then we passed out for like 12 hours.
Q. All of your family here?
LEXI THOMPSON: No just my dad and my agent. My dad is caddying for me. His name is Scott
Q. Did you bring a dress this year?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I've got two. I came well prepared. I don't have to borrow any this year.
Q.You're playing in the Irish Open, have you been to Ireland before?
LEXI THOMPSON: No, I haven't. I heard it's a great event and it's on the course obviously that the Solheim Cup is on this year. So I'm really looking forward to it.
Q. About the Solheim Cup, you're a bit too young this time but did you ever play in the junior?
LEXI THOMPSON: I played in the Junior Solheim, I think two or three years ago. I think it was two.
Q. Did you enjoy that experience?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I love playing in those events. It's great experience for me. So hopefully I'll be on the real Solheim eventually. It's definitely one of my goals.
Q. The Maguire twins are a similar age to you. Do you know them?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I played junior Ryder Cup and they were on that team and I'm not sure if they were on Solheim. I played with them a few times. They were on the Curtis Cup too. They are great players. I got to play, I'm not sure against which one, but they are great players. Obviously to be on that team I'm sure was an honor for them too.
Q. Playing professional golf as a 16-year-old you're kind of on and off, what are the challenges and what are the best parts?
LEXI THOMPSON: Well this is what I love to do. It's always been my dream to turn pro and doing that, obviously I want to play more and I'm going to try that with Q-school coming up. I'd love to play every week or every tournament. So that's my goal.
Q. All of the other pros are very welcoming to you because they have seen your talent and would like to see you do well?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, they are very welcoming. Always saying good luck and talking to me. It's great to play with them and to see my competition, playing against the best players in the world.
Q. Do you look at the other players and pick up things from their games?
LEXI THOMPSON: I definitely focus on my game a lot, but you learn from other people's games too – what they are doing well and how they play and how they get around.
Q. Any goals for the Ladies' Irish Open when you come over?
LEXI THOMPSON: Well, my goal is always to win. I just try to do my best in every tournament. That's all I can do and all I can ask for.
Q. You've got one win already on the Fusion Tour, do you class that as a first professional win?
LEXI THOMPSON: Not really. I mean it was on my home course too. If I was going to win any of them, it was that one. But I would like to win a professional women's event.
Q. How is the home schooling going?
LEXI THOMPSON: It's going really good. I have one more year left.
Q. What do you get at the end of it?
LEXI THOMPSON: I get a diploma at the end.
Q. How many hours does that take?
LEXI THOMPSON: I usually do about 2-3 hours of schoolwork a day, usually in the morning and later at night. I'm not in school right now but I would do it when I'm at tournaments too. Usually I would try to go ahead and do the work for the week that I'm going to be gone. I'll be done next year.
MICHELLE WIE, Rolex Rankings No. 11
MODERATOR: We'd like to welcome Michelle Wie into the interview room. Thanks for joining us today. You've had some really good tournaments this season. At the U.S. Women's Open you made a great birdie on the final hole of your second round to make the cut and then played better on the weekend. Can you just talk a little about your season and how you're feeling coming into this event?
MICHELLE WIE: I've been having a lot of fun this past season. Obviously it's been a lot of hard work. Been traveling to a lot of the tournaments and going to different places. Playing the Broadmoor at the U.S. Open two weeks ago was an unbelievable experience. So it's been fun. Hopefully I play a lot better in the last part of the season.
MODERATOR: I know we talked quite a bit about this, but what is the experience like being a student and playing on the LPGA tour? There's lots that goes into that, and now you're getting kind of a little bit of a break in school so you can focus on golf a little bit more in the summer.
MICHELLE WIE: I think it's a unique experience. It's something that enabled me to grow more as person. I think kind of having the experience really helped me grow. But also being on the tour is a lot fun. It's a lot hard work, going out there week after week but I think it's very fulfilling.
Q. How do you react to the words of Annika Sorenstam about your lack of playing and concentrating too much on studying?
MICHELLE WIE: You know, I think that just looking back at my stats and tournaments that I've played, this year I've played in every single one, every single one in year except one tournament. So I've been doing my best with those as well as I can. I love being out here. Obviously I want to be the best player that I can be; I want to win majors; I want to win tournaments; and I'm working very hard at that. Right now that's my No. 1 goal, especially during the summer. And even if I'm at school, you know, I don't go to school full time. I have to go part time because obviously I do play, and I play in almost every tournament.
Q. Would you say you found a balance between sport and study?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, I think education has always been very important to me, especially ever since I was young. So I've been playing on LPGA tournaments and going to regular high school and all of that, so it's been very important. I think knowledge and education, I believe it's a very powerful tool for young adults. I also believe that your sport, your career is also important.
But I didn't want to have to give up my education. I think that college is a lot more than just education and books. For me, I think it was a very important step for me to go to Stanford and to experience actually living on campus, kind of making it on my own, as one can say. People that have gone to college know that you do grow. For me, being out here spending a lot of time when I was younger, it forced me to grow up a lot faster. I think I needed this step in my life, and I don't regret any of it.
Q. We have cold and wet conditions this week; how do you plan to adjust your game to this?
MICHELLE WIE: I brought a lot more clothes than in the past. laug It makes the golf course a lot tougher, I think, a lot longer. But hopefully it'll clear by the weekend. The golf course is still in beautiful condition. It rained a lot on Sunday, I believe, and I came out to play yesterday and the course didn't seem at all soggy. I think they've been doing a really good job maintaining the golf course, even with the weather.
