By Agathe Seron at Evian Masters.
Korean Inbee Park captured the 2012 Evian Masters by two strokes with a superb final round 66 along the shoreline of Lake Leman. Australia’s evergreen Karrie Webb and American Stacey Lewis shared second place on 15-under par.
American Stacy Lewis was holding out thefield during the first 54 holes. It is often said that player wins a tournament on Sunday but lost it on Saturday. Lewis shot a shy 73 on third round and she was the last player to wear out the grass of the putting on saturday. Her putter helped her but a bit too lateas she holed for eagle on 18th to the cheering of French fans.
Inbee Park wins 2012 Evian Masters. (Photo - KMSP - Olivier Gauthier).
“I actually played really good,” said Lewis.
“I had probably four or five putts that I thought I made and just lipped out. Just couldn’t really get anything going, and then finally at the end to make some birdies. Inbee Park played great. Early on she didn’t really make many putts. Kind of middle of the back nine she started making putts. She hit some really good putts for par and then birdied the last three.”
Webb signed for great 67 and enjoyed big applause as well on the 18th first after tough chip from the flowers near the hazrd then after holing from outside the green for birdie.
“I shot 67 today, so I can’t really complain,” said Webb.
“Inbee shot 66. She played really, really well.
Obviously you want to win, but just to be in contention and perform well under pressure, just to feel what it’s like to be in contention, is good. I gave myself the chance.This tournament treats everyone fantastically, especially if you’re a past champion. It’s definitely a tournament to win, because you get treated with the utmost high quality, hospitality, and they celebrate their past champions. So it’s a wonderful event.”
Park left her opponents nothing but a chance on back nine. For more than 3 hours, officials really expecting a play off to end the tournament but Park drove the point home with three birdies in a row on last three holes. Korean spectators -yes there were a douzen- lived great time, fist supporting new prodige Hyo Joo Kim, 17-year-old-amateur finisihing ont the podium and then the start of the day who did not win on LPGA since 2008 US Women Open. Korean players celebrated our fellow as it should be in France and in Evian with champagne and Evian water .
“When I see the skydiver -young women from French Team- coming down with Korean flag, I feel great, especially this is the only event that does it,” she said.
“I feel really special. In the Olympics when I was watching all the athletes have their flags on when they had a medal, I wanted to do that also. I did it today, so I’m very happy.”
The Evian Masters is dead, long live the Evian Championship !
* Special thanks to Agathe for her superb coverage of the Evian Masters.
