I intended this to be a quickie because, as a newly-majorized event, there's not a lot I can say about the past and others more knowledgeable than me have written good preview posts -- which I'll link to in this post, of course. But the Constructivist has a good post that got me thinking (I've linked to it below) so this post got loooonger.
As usual, Tony Jesselli has done a preview of the Evian that hits on most of the important things you should know before it starts. Of primary importance is the fact that GC plans to cover it LIVE... which means coverage begins at 7:30am ET on Thursday and Friday, then at 6:30am ET on Saturday and 8:30am ET on Sunday. Adjust your alarm clock accordingly!
The occasion formerly known as the Evian Masters has been the difficulty of a whole lot debate seeing that its merchandising to LPGA essential. The LET has taken into consideration the Evian as one of its two majors (the RICOH Women's British Open being the alternative) for lots a few years, long earlier than the LPGA granted both event reliable important status. This truth has been in large part not noted within the discussions I've heard. And with the buzz over Inbee Park's main run having ended, a great deal of the pleasure approximately the event has been tempered.
As a result, you would expect the Evian Championship to get less-than-enthusiastic support from the powers-that-be. The Constructivist posted four questions he has about the Evian's status as a major over at Mostly Harmless -- good questions, I think -- and I thought I'd take a moment to drop my opinion on them.
The first concerns the depth of subject, that is quite much restrained to LPGA and LET members, plus Lydia Ko. TC asks if the organizers need to make a more effort to get the pinnacle players from the KLPGA and JLPGA, or is the cutting-edge setup exact enough?
I suppose his second question -- regarding the JLPGA and KLPGA majors which are scheduled opposite this occasion -- must be taken into consideration along side the first question. It appears clean that the LPGA and LET have determined to make their schedules paintings collectively as quality they can. It seems equally clear that "the increase of golf in Asia" nevertheless is not vital sufficient to convey ALL the excursions together for that reason. I don't know if this lack of coordination originates in the East or the West but, till a few settlement is reached, I don't know that intensity of discipline or scheduling conflicts remember. Winning an LPGA or LET predominant might not convey a lot of weight with gamers who see their excursion as a competitor with them.
TC's third query concerns the redesign of the Evian route -- mainly, converting the 18th from a quirky par-five to a tough par-4. The redecorate additionally creates an amphitheater placing, hopefully to boom the drama of the finishing hole.
While I just like the amphitheater, I have to say that this component of the remodel problems me. Part of the exhilaration of Evian has been the possibility of an eagle at 18 -- a possibility that has figured prominently into a number of finishes there. This redecorate appears to simply accept the idea that a "difficult" course, which usually way that something near par is a great rating, is vital for a chief match... And I disagree. I'm now not announcing that you have to make the route a pushover, however we've got a US Open (male and girl versions) for when we need a difficult test. A top risk/praise par-five at 18 is the pleasant way to assignment gamers to step up and make a shot to win. I desire I'm wrong but I'm afraid we will see a variety of secure par-4s at Evian going ahead.
Final query: Are you treating it as a prime if you best supply it 1.Five hours of community TV coverage? NBC plans to carry the last ninety mins of Evian on Sunday from midday till 1:30pm ET.
That depends on what you compare it to. What coverage do the other women's majors get? Only the US Women's Open got NBC coverage, and I suspect that had more to do with the USGA connection than the LPGA. In fact, NBC made a big deal out of the Sunday Scottish Open coverage they carried -- the first time they'd covered an ET event.
Personally, I regard the reality that GC intends to offer stay coverage all 4 days, in conjunction with rebroadcast during top time, as a first-rate dedication. (And bear in mind that NBC owns GC now. In an age of specialized cable networks, they possibly remember that the same as a network commitment.)
Does the Evian sense like a prime yet? No... However you do not create a primary simply through maintaining it one. It needs to be embraced by using the gamers and fanatics, benefit some history (preferably in the form of some dramatic finishes), and come to be with a who's-who of the sport engraved on the trophy. (Right now they've got 2.Five out of three. Will the fans include it? That's the question.)
But I'm nonetheless not satisfied that Kraft-Nabisco will maintain their aid of the KNC. If they do not, I suspect the Evian will in no time advantage that necessary essential air of secrecy.
And with that I'll stop my now not-so-quickie Evian preview. Nothing takes place quickly anymore, does it?
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