Wednesday, July 27, 2011

ANALYSIS: JAPANESE STAR A. MIYAZATO LEADS OUR TOP 10 BEST PERFORMANCES AT EVIAN MASTERS

There were several top-notch performances during the $3.25 million Evian Masters, some standing out more than others at the picturesque event held in southeastern France.

Here are our Top 10 performances from this year's tournament:

1. AI MIYAZATO
68-68-67-70 - 273 (1)
Country: Japan
World ranking: 6th

Finally, it all came together when it counted most. Miyazato played near flawless golf for four rounds, hitting clutch shots at the most critical times over the weekend and fending off her foes when they were breathing down her neck. And for her efforts, the highly popular Japanese sports icon was rewarded with her first win of the season. Miyazato's win shouldn't have surprised anyone. She already had a victory under her belt at the Evian Masters, earning the 2009 title. Miyazato was also coming off an impressive U.S. Women's Open, where she battled her way to a share of sixth place. And now comes the Women's British Open, an event where Miyazato has had a ton of success during her illustrious career. She has finished no worse than 11th place in five of the last six WBOs, giving her the confidence and realistic goal of winning consecutive titles.


2. STACY LEWIS
69-67-69-70 - 275 (2)
Country: United States
World ranking: 11th
Twitter: @Stacy_Lewis

The American star put together another beautiful week of golf at the Evian Masters, taking second place at the highly competitive tournament in southeastern France. Lewis was in the hunt for the crown deep into the tournament, as she battled eventual winner Miyazato on the back nine for the tournament hardware. Lewis came up just a bit short, but should be pleased with her play and continued success this season heading into this week's Women's British Open. Lewis, who won her first major title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship earlier this season, now has six top-10 finishes in 12 starts and hopes to improve off her tie for 31st place at last year's Women's British Open.


3. I.K. KIM
74-68-64-70 - 276 (T3)
Country: South Korea
World ranking: 7th

There isn't a more consistent player on the tour this season than Kim. After a dismal 2-over-par 74 to open things Thursday at the Evian Masters, Kim clawed her way back with a 4-under 68 Friday and followed that up with a tournament-best 8-under 64 on Saturday to put her in contention. Kim's 64 was just one stroke off from tying the event's record low of 63, set by Helen Alfredsson during her 2008 tournament win. Kim is more than due to win her first title of the season and first major championship of her career. The South Korean star has seven Top 10s in 10 events and has finished no worse than 15th in stroke-play tournaments (she earned a share of 17th in the Sybase Match Play Championship). Kim took a share of third last year in the Women's British Open and looks to improve on that effort at Carnoustie.


4. ANGELA STANFORD
70-66-69-70 - 276 (T3)
Country: United States
World ranking: 18th
Twitter: @Angela_Stanford

Stanford continued her brilliant play this season, proving she is a contender week in, week out on the tour. The American standout finished in a tie for third following her fourth-place finish at the U.S. Women's Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado. Stanford, who used a 6-under 66 to get in the mix Friday at the Evian Masters, has six top-10 finishes this year already and is primed to pick up her first win of the season. A true model of consistency on the course, Stanford could pick her first title this week in Scotland.


5. SUZANN PETTERSEN
73-67-69-68 - 277 (T6)
Country: Norway
World ranking: 3rd
Twitter: @suzannpettersen

Talk about a week of high and extreme lows. Pettersen opened with a disappointing round of 73 at the Evian Masters, but that wasn't the hardest part of her tournament. The Norwegian star was emotionally sacked and devastated during the event following news of the terrorist attacks that led to the senseless murders/deaths of nearly 100 people - many of whom were children - in her native land. However, showing a true sense of focus, Pettersen carried her heavy heart back on the course with a stellar weekend to work her way into a tie for sixth place. Pettersen, ranked third in the Rolex world rankings, is one of our picks going into this week's British Open.


6. MORGAN PRESSEL
71-69-69-68 - 277 (T6)
Country: United States
World ranking: 12th

We aren't sure if there has been a more quiet top-10 finish on the tour this season than the one Pressel put together in France. The American star got better as the week went on, picking up a piece of sixth place and some major confidence heading into the Women's British Open. Pressel, who has five top-10s this year so far, will be a dangerous player this week at Carnoustie and could pick up her first win of the season. She always plays well at the majors, including a tie for third at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and runner-up effort at the Wegmans LPGA Championship. Keep an eye on Pressel this week as she pursues her second major title.


7. MIKA MIYAZATO
71-68-68-71 - 279 (T9)
Country: Japan
World ranking: 22nd
Twitter: @mikachin1010

Our pick to win the Evian Masters going into the tournament, Miyazato played consistently throughout the tournament to earn a share of ninth place in her fourth top-10 finish of the 2011 season. Miyazato bookended rounds of 71 around two sizzling 68s, keeping her in contention throughout the event. Miyazato is primed for a victory this season as she continues to impress with her steady play. Look for continued success from the "other" Miyazato in the second of the LPGA Tour campaign.


8. MIKI SAIKI
68-68-67-70 - 273 (1)
Country: Japan
World ranking: 21st

Miki who? Plenty of people were asking that question after Saiki stormed out of the gate with back-to-back 68s to take the lead going into the weekend action. Saiki might not be known in the United States, but she is widely regarded as one of the best in Asia. The standout is one of the top players on the Japan LPGA Tour and sits at 21st in the official Rolex world rankings.


9. ANNA NORDQVIST
77-68-69-67 - 281 (T17)
Country: Sweden
World ranking: 30th
Twitter: @ANordqvist

From flirting with missing the cut to dominating the course on the weekend, the feisty Swede arguably put together the comeback of this year's tournament. Nordqvist opened with a brutal, 5-over 77 to put her in a tie for 99th place, but she would rally to play the final 54 holes at 12 under to crack the top 20 and earn a share of 17th place. Nordqvist, one of our favorites at LPGA Tour Live, should ride that momentum into this week's Women's British Open and be one to watch. She broke into our weekly Top-20 player rankings and currently sits 30th in the latest Rolex world standings.


10. PAIGE MACKENZIE
71-72-70-69 - 282 (T21)
Country: United States
World ranking: 121st
Twitter: @Paige_Mackenzie

Mackenzie had one Hell of a week in France. The University of Washington product didn't even know if she would make the Evian Masters field prior to heading overseas, but that didn't stop her from putting up one of her best performances of the year. Mackenzie kept her own yardage book for the first time in ages and, needless to say, she want to think about doing the same thing at the Women's British Open. She fired a final-round 69, vaulting her earnings to $132,220 for the season. Mackenzie has five top-25 finishes in eight events in the 2011 campaign.

- Jeremy Pond, LPGA Tour Live
- Photos courtesy of Getty Images

No comments:

Post a Comment