Since the Amundi Evian Championship was established as a major on the LPGA Tour schedule in 2013, it is the one major championship that has eluded Inbee Park. That is something the 20-time LPGA winner hopes to change this week at Evian Resort Golf Club.
She does have a good history in Evian-les-Bains, France to build from. Park won this tournament in 2012 when it was known as the Evian Masters.
“That is definitely one thing I’ve always wanted to do. It became a major and they renovated the course, so we’re playing a little bit different of a course. Obviously, becoming a major, I want to win another Evian Championship,” said Park, a seven-time major champion. “I think it is a really good year to do it, as well, going into the Tokyo Olympics and the course is in really, really good shape.
“I remember this was the second win of my LPGA Tour career, and first win traveling with my husband. It was a very special moment. Out of all the wins I’ve done with my husband [in attendance], this is the best one because it was the first one. It has a really special place in my heart. That week, I putted so well on these greens. Hopefully another year of putting like that in 2012.”
In 2013, Park captured three of the five major titles. Since that same year, she leads all players in several statistical categories when it comes to major championships including wins (6), top-10 finishes (23)—six more than any other individual—score to par (-110), scoring average (70.74) and rounds in the 60s (52).
Throw in four top-10 results in her last four starts at the Amundi Evian Championship (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019), and the facts speak for themselves: Park is a top contender to hoist the trophy come Sunday. In her opinion, though, it will come down to putting on the challenging greens of Evian Resort Golf Club.
“I think my putting has always been above average,” Park said. “I had years where I was putting really, really good, and then I had years that I was not putting as good as other years. I think my putting always has been really good, overall.
“I definitely have those weeks where I don’t putt well at all, but that’s normal with putting. I don’t try to be too greedy with the putter. When I try to be too greedy with the putter, not making many putts. Just trying to be very calm and very nice to my putter so it works. Especially putting, it is just something that I still can’t figure out.
“I did my homework the last three days and hopefully that pays off over the weekend.”
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