Evian Masters Recap: Throne Overthrown

By Vince Robitaille

GolfWRX Staff Writer

France has seen its share of comeback victories through its history; La Bastille stands as a testament of this. The Evian Masters, perhaps, doesn’t match the political shockwaves of the 1789 Revolution, it does, however, remind us that a lopsided start doesn’t guarantee a triumphant ending.

Playing the role of the soon-to-be exiting monarchy, Stacey Lewis, launched an opening salve that tore up her opponents’ ranks. In fact, her near-perfect 9-under 63 netted her, not only a three-shot lead upon her nearest pursuer, but completely obliterated the field’s average score. To put things in perspective, contenders Karrie Webb, Shanshan Feng and – eventual champion – Inbee Park sat at 7, 5 and 8 strokes behind the then World No.3. Unfortunately for the reigning queen of women’s golf – Yani Tseng seemingly getting the chop ahead of time – a slight deceleration on Friday paired with major bloodshed on moving day’s inward nine would provide the breach necessary for the revolutionaries’ upheaval.

Not to undermine the complex structure of conflicts, but most bouts can often be summarized in a few precise events. In this case, the Texan’s aforementioned inward nine and, now two-time LPGA winner, Inbee Park’s final effort after making the turn on Sunday afternoon.

In Lewis’ case, a string of not so diligent putts and four lost strokes on a four-hole span, starting on No. 12, led to a lackluster 73. The Evian Masters Golf Club’s rather slow greens might have been to blame for this, but a point could be made that a warrior must have fine knowledge of its battlefield. Meanwhile, Inbee Park was crossing the Alps with great pace and laying down the foundations to her ultimate attack. The South Korean, now sitting alongside Lewis atop the leaderboard, seemed poised to add a long overdue following conquest to her 2008 U.S. Open Championship. Acting as renfort was Karrie Webb – a successful strike here would have given the Australian legend her 39th LPGA-sanctioned victory – with a rock solid 67 that had her tied with Natalie Gulbis in third place.

When it was all said and done, the Queen had been overthrown, despite a cheeky last stand, and a South Korean flag was waived. Stacey Lewis’ 66 – that was unfortunately highlighted by several lip-outs – couldn’t contain the opposition; Webb ultimately tied her and Park came through in the clutch with splendor. The three-straight birdies recorded by the latter to wrap up the tournament – she totaled eightbirdies on the day, five of which came on the back nine – displayed a ferocious tenacity and nerves that were quite simply spectacular. Some ascensions to the throne are sudden and flamboyant, Inbee Park’s – with her steady career following her breakthrough moment in Edina – was rather slow and somewhat of a grind. Nevertheless, a crown is a crown.

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