Susann Pettersen suited to Evian Championship

For the first time on any Tour there will be a second Major Championship in one season in Europe as the Evian Championship in France is played for the first time as a major this year. Suzann Pettersen has the best chance to win the title for Europe but she will face tough competition from the best players from the United States and Asia, including Paula Creamer and Inbee Park.

The tournament – formerly known as the Evian Masters – was first played in 1994 on the European Tour. It became part of the LPGA Tour in 2000 and received its Major status this year. There has been a significant increase to the prize fund since the event joined the LPGA Tour and it is currently tied with the US Open as the richest event in women’s golf.

The event has always been played at the Evian Resort Golf Club in the town of Haute-Savoire in eastern France. The course is 480 metres above sea level and overlooks Lake Geneva. For many US Tour professionals playing in the Evian Masters was something of a working holiday and used as preparation for the British Open the following week by acclimatisng to European conditions.

The event now has a later slot in the schedule but playing at Evian was never the ideal preparation for the links courses that usually host the British Open. The course is the shortest of any that has hosted a women’s major this season. Finding the greens in the correct number of shots will be a key skill and a decent short game will be required for good scoring.

At number three in the world Pettersen is the highest ranked European in the standings. She had a key role in Solheim Cup last month which was won by Europe for the first time in the United States since the matches began in 1990. Pettersen is the only player in the field in the top 20 for driving accuracy, greens in regulation and GIR putting and that gives her a perfect skill’s profile for the Evian course.

Creamer lost 5&4 in the singles in the Solheim Cup to the British teenager, Charley Hull. It takes a great deal to dent the confidence of Creamer and she could well get here career back on track by winning her second major this week. Creamer is in the top 10 for driving accuracy and finding the greens in the correct number of shots and given a decent week on the greens looks a leading contender.

Park won the first three majors of the season and arrived at St Andrews for the Women’s British Open in August trying to become the first professional, male or female, to win four majors in a calendar year. Tiger Woods held all four majors at the same but his wins spanned two seasons. Park started well at St Andrews but faded over the weekend when world number two, Stacy Lewis, won the championship, but she could add to her tally of majors in France this week.

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