10 Jun 2020 | Professional golf |
Evian latest pandemic cancellation
by Mark Hayes
Another major championship has fallen victim to Covid-19.
The LPGA regretfully announced today the cancellation of the Evian Championship, customarily the final major championship on the women’s calendar.
LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said “ongoing travel/border restrictions and government quarantine requirements” means the tournament, scheduled for 6-9 August, will not take place in 2020.
He said it would return to the LPGA Tour schedule in 2021 at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.
“I have been incredibly impressed by the entire team at the Evian Championship. They worked so hard to host this global event despite the obvious challenges,” Whan said.
“They know that high-pursed, career-changing events like the Evian are more important than ever, especially in an LPGA year that has been drastically reduced (by) Covid-19.
“I know this was a tough decision for everyone involved, but it’s one that we had to take given the restrictions we faced.
“It is disappointing to miss a major championship but Evian’s strong history of showcasing the best female golfers will continue once again when we return in 2021. We look forward to being back on the mountain in Evian next year and for a long time to come.”
The Women’s British Open is now the first major on the LPGA schedule, set down for 20-23 August at Troon, Scotland.
The ANA Inspiration has been moved to 10-13 September, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to 8-11 October and US Women’s Open to 10-13 December in what is hoped will be an action-packed schedule in the final five months of the year.
The CME Tour Championship is slated to end the season at the unusually late timeslot of 17-20 December in Naples, Florida.
Meanwhile, former ISPS Handa Vic Open champion Celine Boutier won the Texas Women’s Open this week as a host of LPGA players returned to play in non-LPGA sanctioned events.
Boutier beat Cheyenne Knight and Kristen Gillman at the Old American Golf Club, with new mum Brittany Lang seventh.
The emerging Jennifer Kupcho won the simultaneous Colorado Women’s Open from over Carlota Ciganda with Kim Kaufman and Bailey Tardy tied third.
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