The Evian Championship started back in 1994 as a Ladies' European Tour invitational known as the "Evian Masters". Early winners of the event include Helen Alfredson, Laura Davis, Catrin Nilsmark and Annika Sorenstam. From the start the tournament had one of the biggest purses in women's golf and it quickly gained importance. It became part of the LPGA Tour schedule in 2000 and was renamed "The Evian Championship" in 2013 when it was elevated to "major" status. The first winner of the new women's fifth major was Suzann Petterson.
This year's championship was due to take place at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, from 23-26 July. On 27 March, following the news that the Olympic Committee had postponed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the LPGA announced that the Evian Championship would be pushed back to 6-9 August.
As the coronavirus crisis continued so did the disruption to the LPGA Tour schedule. By the end of April nearly a third of the 2020 LPGA Tour events had been cancelled, including the first three majors.
On 1 May, the LPGA announced that it was targeting a return to action in mid July. The original LPGA Tour schedule of 34 events was reduced to 25 and four of the majors were moved to later dates. According to the revised schedule, the Evian Championship was set to be the first of three events in Europe and the first of the five majors.
Yesterday, the LPGA and the Evian Championship Committee issued out a joint statement. It confirms that this year's Evian Championship is the latest casualty of the pandemic. It reads as follows:
"Due to the situation brought about by the Covid-19 world health crisis, The Evian Championship’s organizing committee announce that the 2020 tournament cannot be held this year."
"The ongoing uncertainty concerning the opening of borders poses a major risk to the organization of a competition, to welcome 120 players from around the world. The LPGA and The Evian Championship’s organizing committee have to recognize that the conditions for a safe event that lives up to the expectations of the public, players, organizers and their partners are not in place."
Chairman of The Evian Championship, Franck Riboud, said:
“We have waited for as long as organizational issues allow to make this decision with the LPGA. But unfortunately it was unavoidable in view of the situation with regards to worldwide travel restrictions. Our top priority is of course to ensure everyone stays healthy and safe. All of our teams are very affected by the forced cancellation of our Major, but we must not lose sight of what matters most. ”
“We are already committed to the next edition in 2021 to fully rediscover the values and the spirit of a family celebration, the conviviality and emotions that have made our Major unique for more than 25 years.”
LPGA Commissioner, Mike Whan, said:
“I have been incredibly impressed by the entire team at The Evian Championship. They worked so hard in an effort to host this global event despite the obvious challenges."
"They know that high-pursed, career-changing events like The Evian are more important than ever, in an LPGA year that has been drastically reduced due to 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 AIG Women's British Open, at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland from 20-23 August, is now the first major on the revised LPGA Tour schedule. Whilst the AIS Ladies' Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in Scotland from 13-16 August, is the only other European event left on the LPGA Tour.
The other three majors, the ANA Inspiration, the U.S. Women’s Open, and the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, which are normally held in April, June and July, have all been postponed to later in the year.
The LPGA schedule for the remaining four Women's Majors is as follows:
20-23 August
AIG Women's British Open
Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland
10-13 September
ANA Inspiration
Mission Hills Golf Club, Rancho Mirage, California
8-11 October
KPMG Women's PGA Championship
Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
10-13 December
U.S. Women’s Open
Champions Golf Club, Houston, Texas
The Evian Championship will return in 2021 in Evian-les-Bains.
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