The $3.25 million Evian Masters presented by Société Générale will celebrate 18 years when the 19th edition of the event takes place from 26-29 July at Evian Masters Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.

Since its beginnings in 1994, when it was created by Antoine and Franck Riboud, the Evian Masters presented by Société Générale has always been a special event on the Ladies European Tour schedule.

Here we look forward to some of the highlights of the 2012 tournament, which has been designated a major championship on the LET schedule since 1998.

GUARANTEED SPECTACLE

111 of the world’s best players will start at the Evian Masters, including the defending champion Ai Miyazato from Japan. Just before the main event, from 21-22 July, 60 young male and female players aged under-14 will play in the sixth edition of the Juniors Cup, with each of 15 teams composed of two girls and two boys.

THE PLACE TO BE

Celebrities, top sportsmen and women and the public will all convene at the Evian Masters during the week. Last year, celebrities such as Danny Boon, Thomas Gibson, Laurent Blanc, Guy Forget and Alain Boghossian played in the Pro Am. Meanwhile Bixente Lizarazu is always present at the charity football match on Thursday evening between players, caddies, guests and soccer stars.

A MAJOR TOURNAMENT

A year ago, The Evian Masters announced it was becoming a Major on the LPGA Tour in 2013, along with the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the Wegmans LPGA Championship, the U.S. Women’s Open by USGA and the RICOH Women’s British Open. The LPGA Major status in 2013 will mean a new golf course, a new name: The Evian and a new logo, as well as a new date, from 12-15 September, 2013.

EVIAN MASTERS COMMUNITY

The massive Evian Masters community can access information thanks to an even wider choice of media via the social networks Facebook and Twitter, iPhone and iPad Apps and website, evianmasters.com.

Eligibility criteria for the 2012 Evian Masters tournament:

A field of 111 players determined as follows: 

1. Top ten (10) finishers, and ties, from the previous year’s Evian Masters tournament

2. Money List #1 of KLPGA, JLPGA, LPGA, ALPGA, LET for the year prior to the year of the applicable Tournament

3. Winners of the 2012 Kraft Nabisco Championship, 2012 LPGA Championship Presented by Wegmans, and 2012 U.S. Women’s Open

4. Winner of the 2011 Ricoh Women’s British Open

5. All “Active” LPGA Hall of Fame members (“Active” defined as a member of the LPGA Tournament Division who has competed in at least ten (10) co-sponsored or approved LPGA events within the previous 12 months or during the current year)

6. All past Evian Masters champions who have committed to play in the event

7. Winners of all Official LPGA tournaments from the 2011 Evian Masters through the tournament the week preceding the 2012 Evian Masters

8. Winners of all Official LET tournaments from the 2011 Evian Masters through the tournament the week preceding the 2012 Evian Masters

9. Ten (10) Wild Cards

10. If the field is not filled by players qualifying according to sections 1 to 9, the remaining spot(s) will be filled by players from the Rolex Women’s World Rankings published July 18, 2012.