The Evian Masters organisation board has announced the list of the last five players to be awarded a wild card.

Wild card Sophie Giquel-Bettan from France

Julieta Granada of Paraguay and Sharmila Nicollet of India are both number 1 in their countries and have been chosen to demonstrate the board’s desire to showcase talent from developing countries in women’s world golf. Sophie Giquel-Bettan, Caroline Afonso and Anne-Lise Caudal from France, who are all in the top 25 on the LET’s Henderson Money List, are also in the field, joining fellow French players Virginie Lagoutte-Clément and Gwladys Nocera.

The complete list of 10 wild cards is as follows:

Mariajo Uribe (Colombia) – 21 years, Colombian No.1, US Women’s amateur champion in 2007, turned pro in 2009, she tackled her 1st season on the LPGA Tour in 2010 and won the HSBC Brazil Cup (unofficial tournament) in 2011.

Cindy LaCrosse (USA) – 24 years, brilliant amateur golfer, turned pro in 2009 and ranks 2nd in the Top 15 this year, her first year on the LPGA Tour.

Maria Verchenova (Russia) – 25 years, Russian No. 1, Russian amateur champion 2004-2006, progressed in the LET, where she finished in the Top 15 of the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open 2011.

Grace Park (Korea) – 32 years, pro since 1999, progressing brilliantly on the LPGA Tour since 2000. A Prized ambassador of the Evian Masters 2001, 6 times winner on the American circuit with a major title in 2004 (Kraft Nabisco Championship),a tournament in which she ranked 10th the previous year.

Julieta Granada of Paraguay

Caroline Rominger (Switzerland) – 28 years, Swiss No.1, turned pro in 2009, Swiss amateur champion 2006-2008, progressing on the LET.

Julieta Granada (Paraguay) – 24 years, Paraguayan No.1. Great record of achievement, with a year fll of success in 2004, she turned pro in June 2005 and the following year won the ADT championship and the World Cup 2007. Placed 7th in the Kraft Nabisco Championship 2011.

Sharmila Nicollet (India) – 20 years, Indian No.1 , turned pro in 2009. Amateur champion, then No.1 in the Women’s Golf Association of India 2009/2010 (3 victories in India 2010), she is currently progressing well on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour.

Sophie Giquel-Bettan (France) – 29 years, turned pro in 2003, currently ranking 9th on the LET. Winner of the Portugal Ladies Open 2007, she was placed 2nd in the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open 2011.

Caroline Afonso (France) – 26 years, turned pro in 2007, currently 19th on the LET. 2010 winner of the La Nivelle and Terre Blanche Open (LET Access Series), she ranked 2nd in the Dutch Ladies Open 2011.

Anne-Lise Caudal (France) – 27 years, turned pro in 2006, currently ranking 21st on the LET. Winner of the Portugal Ladies Open 2008, she was placed 4th at the Finnair Masters 2011.

 

Anne Lise Caudal from France

The 18th edition of the Evian Masters event tees off from July 21-24, bringing together the best players in world of golf. The definitive list of the 111 players entered has now been completed with 35 Ladies European Tour members, including the 2010 champion Jiyai Shin.

The five alternates are Lindsey Wright, Jennifer Song, Florentyna Parker, Paige MacKenzie, Mina Harigae and Sarah Jane Smith.