2019 The Evian Championship Jul 25 - 28

[Titleist_PT23]

> @"Golf Dino" said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > It seems it always comes down to putting. Paula only managed 8 fairways, and 224 off the tee. She did hit 14 greens, so the missed fairways weren't bad. Her putter was on fire, needing only 25 putts.

> >

> > Mi Hyang only averaged 218 off the tee, but still had 15 GIRs. That and 27 putts makes for a nice six under round.

> ________________________

> I have not been able to watch any of the coverage. Do you know if Paula and Mi Hyang were getting lots of roll out on their approach shots? It just seems to me that they both would be hitting lots of long irons/hybrids etc. into the greens with such short driving distances today. But of course, the putter can be the great equalizer!

>

The measured driving distance may only be on two holes (normal practice). Most likely, they missed the fairway on one if not both at these distances.

 

Per the post above, it does seem like there's lower than average run-out (if any), with a lot of players ~10 yards or so below their season average off the tee. Just glancing at some of the players, I would guess they are still getting some roll (maybe like 10 yards). These are very large carry numbers if there's no roll-out (Inbee was at 240, JYK was mid-250s). I don't know what holes they are measuring on / each holes' dynamics so hard to know for sure.

[Argonne69]

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

 

This is definitely not the course we're used to seeing in September. The greens are firm, but the fairways, while looking baked out, are providing little rollout. As Karen mentioned, there is a buildup of thatch that is leaving the fairways shaggy. I assume it's the high heat.

 

Rough looks thick. Greens are baked. Fairways are playing long. Seems like a perfect setup for a major.

 

[Argonne69]

> @fredogolfer said:

> I can't imagine what the media will do if Paula wins.

 

She had 25 putts. Umm, don't see that happening for three more rounds. Nice to see her post a great score, but I think it's lightning in a bottle.

 

[18majors]

> @fanofseri said:

> Some people are complaining that Maria Fassi and Lexi are on tv too much. They also anticipate that Paula will dominate the coverage over the next few days. Those guys should go back to where they wish they were from.

 

Good luck to our dearest friends!

They won't understand LPGA and Golf Channel are nothing but businesses. Every business has one and only goal; to maximize their profits.

 

[Enduro59]

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @fredogolfer said:

> > I can't imagine what the media will do if Paula wins.

>

> She had 25 putts. Umm, don't see that happening for three more rounds. Nice to see her post a great score, but I think it's lightning in a bottle.

>

 

I wonder how many of those 25 were from like the 10 percent"make" distance? I also wonder if she's ever in her whole career had a 25 putt round? Most likely by Saturday afternoon she will be a distant memory. Will be interesting to see if she adopts the Munoz glacial,deliberate pace of play to try to hang on for 3 more rounds.

[legitimategolf]

Right there one shot back is good old Brittany High Seas. Overlooked as usual.

[grm24]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

>

> This is definitely not the course we're used to seeing in September.

>

The Evian was held the last weekend in July from 2003-2012 like this year. How were course conditions then?

 

[Shilgy]

> @tbowles411 said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Yeah, what's gotten into Paula lately? It seems the Solheim Cup seems to motivate her for a stretch. Inbee doesn't seem to be ready to ride off into the sunset either.

> >

> > The course reminds me of TPC Sawgrass. One can score if one stays in position, but it can kick you in the a-- if not. Similar to Sawgrass, it seems all types of players can compete here.

>

> She's in the lead... :o

> **Just breathe TB**

 

How many years has it been since we last heard Tommy hyperventilate over Miss Pink?

 

Too many!

[Argonne69]

> @grm24 said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

> >

> > This is definitely not the course we're used to seeing in September.

> >

> The Evian was held the last weekend in July from 2003-2013 like this year. How were course conditions then?

>

 

It's been so long I forget what the conditions were like. I remember watching Ai Miyazato get her first LPGA win here in 2009. She won it again in '11.

 

The LPGA plays on very few courses that have such significant left/right and right/left sloping. 'Can't recall seeing so many shots with the ball above the players' feet. The slope on the greens is also much greater than the typical course played week to week, e.g. Thornberry. Few putts seem to be easy two putts.

 

The Evian gets a lot of grief because it was added as a fifth major. I think it's similar to the flak received by the Players. However, major aside, now that the weather appears to have been removed from the discussion, it's a heck of a course, and a heck of a tournament.

 

[tbowles411]

> @Shilgy said:

> > @tbowles411 said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Yeah, what's gotten into Paula lately? It seems the Solheim Cup seems to motivate her for a stretch. Inbee doesn't seem to be ready to ride off into the sunset either.

> > >

> > > The course reminds me of TPC Sawgrass. One can score if one stays in position, but it can kick you in the a-- if not. Similar to Sawgrass, it seems all types of players can compete here.

> >

> > She's in the lead... :o

> > **Just breathe TB**

>

> How many years has it been since we last heard Tommy hyperventilate over Miss Pink?

>

> Too many!

I'm just trying to keep it together!

 

[Argonne69]

> @"JK Ward" said:

> Lexi looks like she's on the verge of tears, again. Maybe the 18th will pep her up a bit.

 

Recall that Lexi skipped this tournament last year. She was going through some personal issues, but it seems the place simply doesn't suit her game. She finished T48 in 2017.

[tonyj5]


 

 

This week the LPGA moves to France for the playing of the Evian Championship. Angela Stanford will be trying to defend the title she won last year when she came out victorious by one stroke over four players.

 


 

Angela Stanford holds up her first major championship trophy.

 

This will be tournament #21 of 32 on this year's LPGA schedule, and fourth of five major championships.

 

Here are the key details:

 

Course: Evian Resort Golf Club

Location: Evian-les-Bains, France

Defending Champion: Angela Stanford

Winning Score: 72-64-68-68 = 272 (-12)

History: This event became an LPGA Tour event in 2000

 

Final Field: 120 players

Par: 35/36 = 71

Yardage: 6,523

Purse: $4,100,000 (Increase of $250,000 from last year)

Race to the CME Globe: 625 points

Aon Risk/Reward Hole: 14th (Par 3)

 

My strength of field rating is a very solid 83% (up from 78% last year). Forty-five of the top 50 players from the LPGA Priority List and 42 of the top 50 players from the Rolex Rankings will be teeing it up. Although the field rating loses some points because of the limited field, it gains a few points because it includes some star players from other tours. They Include: Hye-Jin Choi (#22 in Rolex Rankings), Ai Suzuki (#24), and Mamiko Higa (42).

 

Here are the television times:

July 25 - GC 5:00 AM- 7:00 AM ET

July 25 - GC 9:30 AM- 11:30 AM ET

July 26 - GC 5:00 AM- 7:00 AM ET

July 26 - GC 9:30 AM- 11:30 AM ET

July 27 - GC 6:30 AM- 9:00 AM ET

July 27 - CNBC 9:00 AM- 11:30AM ET

July 28 - GC 6:30 AM- 9:30 AM ET

July 28 - CNBC 9:00 AM- 11:30AM ET

There is a 6 hour time differential between France and ET.

 

Players Most Likely to Win: (Top players in the field)

1- Sung Hyun Park - No. 1 player in the world.

2- Jin Young Ko - Could take back the top spot with a win this week.

3- Lexi Thompson - Could also take over the top spot with a win.

 

Players to Watch Out For: (I'm feeling it this week)

1- Inbee Park - Always tough in the majors.

2- Hyo Joo Kim - Playing her best golf in quite some time.

3- Nelly Korda - Looking for that first Major Championship win.

 

Longshot Picks: (Not likely, but not impossible)

1- Brittany Altomare - Has been on the leaderboard regularly this year.

2- Kristen Gillman - A possible Solheim pick? Needs to shine.

3- Pajaree Anannarukarn - Don't know who she is? You will soon.

 

Other Tidbits:

Cydney Clanton became the 5th first time winner on the LPGA Tour this year. She follows Celine Boutier, Bronte Law, Jeongeun Lee6, and Hannah Green. Jin Young Ko recorded her 7th top five finish of the year, which leads the LPGA Tour.

 

Rolex Rankings Movers of the Week:

There was very little movement in the rankings this week. Although the LPGA counted the victory by Jasmine Suwannapura and Cydney Clanton (at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational) as an official victory, apparently it did not count in the Rolex Rankings as neither player advanced.

 

Race to the CME Globe: (Top 60 point earners to compete for $1.5 million first place prize)

Jin Young Ko continues to lead with 2,574 points. She is followed by Brooke Henderson with 2,122 and Minjee Lee withe 2,091. Lexi Thompson 2,056 and Sung Hyun Park 2,055 round out the top five.

 

Aon Risk Reward Challenge: (1 million dollars)

Lee-Anne Pace leads with a score of -0.818. She is followed by Hyo Joo Kim -0.750, Ariya Jutanugarn -0.719 and Carlota Ciganda -0.719.

 

Who's Hot:

Jin Young Ko has twelve consecutive top 25 finishes. Hyo Joo Kim has finished in the top seven in each of her last four starts.

 

Who's Not:

Angela Stanford has failed to record a top 20 finish in any of her fifteen starts this year.

 

This week's trivia question:

What American player won the Evian Championship in 2007, and was her only LPGA victory?

 

[For the answer to this week's trivia question press here.](http://www.tonyslpgareport.com/p/trivia_19.html "For the answer to this week's trivia question press here.")

 

 

[Shilgy]

> @tbowles411 said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Yeah, what's gotten into Paula lately? It seems the Solheim Cup seems to motivate her for a stretch. Inbee doesn't seem to be ready to ride off into the sunset either.

> >

> > The course reminds me of TPC Sawgrass. One can score if one stays in position, but it can kick you in the a-- if not. Similar to Sawgrass, it seems all types of players can compete here.

>

> She's in the lead... :o

> **Just breathe TB**

 

How many years has it been since we last heard Tommy hyperventilate over Miss Pink?

 

Too many!> @Enduro59 said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > > @fredogolfer said:

> > > I can't imagine what the media will do if Paula wins.

> >

> > She had 25 putts. Umm, don't see that happening for three more rounds. Nice to see her post a great score, but I think it's lightning in a bottle.

> >

>

> I wonder how many of those 25 were from like the 10 percent"make" distance? I also wonder if she's ever in her whole career had a 25 putt round? Most likely by Saturday afternoon she will be a distant memory. Will be interesting to see if she adopts the Munoz glacial,deliberate pace of play to try to hang on for 3 more rounds.

 

She has been playing well lately. Getting your life on order can help.

I'm sure she has had many many rounds in her long career with 25 putts or less.

[fanofseri]

Somehow these two Evian pervs have created the 2nd biggest tournament in golf.

[fanofseri]

It might be the 2nd best tournament, but there's no way those guys will sandwich kiss me. Unless I say it is ok.

[fanofseri]

Lots of girls sweating. Some not so much.

 

[Stooch]

Angel Yin definitly woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, yikes!

[tbowles411]

> @fanofseri said:

> Somehow these two Evian pervs have created the 2nd biggest tournament in golf.

And they do a good job of it too. Despite the sandwich kissing of the winner. LOL

 

[Raving Shanker]

> @fanofseri said:

> Lots of girls sweating. Some not so much.

>

Wow, and you think those French guys are creepy!

[Argonne69]

Sung Hyun looking solid, and on track to win her third major in 3 years.

 

Mi Hyang is a bit of a surprise. She had a great week at the ANA finishing 2nd, but her best finish since then is a 30T.

 

Shanshan hovering near the top.

 

Danielle and Nelly need a few birdies on their final seven holes to make it to the weekend. Minjee, Lydia, and Lexi heading to England earlier than expected.

[legitimategolf]

I have no comment on Maria Fassi this morning. Just a shake of the head.

[legitimategolf]

Judy on Altomare: "Relatively accurate off the tee, but not the straightest driver"

 

Just looked up some stats. What the hell is grandma talking about here.

[OldTomMorris]

Kiss My Putt

[legitimategolf]

I can hardly believe what I am seeing. Paula showing up for an important tournament round wearing a gift shop novelty t-shirt.

[legitimategolf]

Paula is tall, and she always appears to swing pretty hard with the driver, and yet every year she's down there at the bottom of driving distance rankings, in Inbee territory. What gives.

[tbowles411]

> @legitimategolf said:

> Paula is tall, and she always appears to swing pretty hard with the driver, and yet every year she's down there at the bottom of driving distance rankings, in Inbee territory. What gives.

She's never been long. 250 is a good pop for her, but she rarely got there. One of life's mysteries I guess.

 

[Titleist_PT23]

> @tbowles411 said:

> > @legitimategolf said:

> > Paula is tall, and she always appears to swing pretty hard with the driver, and yet every year she's down there at the bottom of driving distance rankings, in Inbee territory. What gives.

> She's never been long. 250 is a good pop for her, but she rarely got there. One of life's mysteries I guess.

>

She also started playing in a different era. 2005-2010 (US Open) she was probably average or just slightly below. Now, she's on the wrong side of 30 to make any real changes. It is what it is.

 

I think the biggest difference is a while ago the bombers usually couldn't do anything else but give it a whack (some exceptions like Lexi). Now, a lot of the good players are also towards the top in driving distance. Average is still by definition average. But it almost seems like at the highest level average is a disadvantage whereas in years past you could cover it up with other things.

[North Texas]

Apparently Lexi posted a pretty scathing post on instagram criticizing Evian. Based on what the wife read to me, Lexi didn't come off looking good.

[Argonne69]

Caroline Hedwall with the low round of the day?

[tbowles411]

> @"North Texas" said:

> Apparently Lexi posted a pretty scathing post on instagram criticizing Evian. Based on what the wife read to me, Lexi didn't come off looking good.

I hadn't heard anything. But it's a major. And there are scores out there to be had. It doesn't sound good when you criticize a tournament and your scores total to +7 over the first couple days.