Switzerland’s Caroline Rominger will make her second appearance at Evian

The Evian Masters Organisation board has now released the names of the first six players to receive a wild-card to the 2011 Evian Masters, out of the ten who will be allocated this year.

 The recipients are: Cindy Lacrosse (USA), Mariajo Uribe (COL), Maria Verchenova (RUS), Caroline Rominger (SWI), Grace Park (KOR) and Lydia Ko (NZ).

 According to the Evian Masters Organisation, priority has been given to sporting criteria, to young talent on its way-up and to N°1 players from developing countries, as in 2010.

 “For 2011, we’re keen as ever to shine the media spotlight on players from developing countries as well as on our very talented young generation of players,” explained Jacques Bungert, Director of the Evian Masters. “Everyone is aware just how rigorous our selection criteria are and it’s important for us to see great talent and leaders in their country and category take centre stage at the Evian Masters. True to our values, we also like to invite players who, because of injury or other causes, have not had the opportunity to qualify over the year but have managed to make a return to the scene. Our choices help develop the future of women’s golf.”

 

Fact-file:

• Lydia Ko (New Zealand) – 14 years old, N°1 at the Women’s World Amateur Golf

Ranking, Lydia is women’s golf’s new prodigy. Korean by origin, she has lived in New

Zealand since she was six years old.

• Mariajo Uribe (Colombia) – 21 years old, Colombian N°1, US Women’s amateur

champion 2007, turned pro in 2009. She launched her first season at the LPGA Tour in

2010 and, in 2011, took home the HSBC Brazil Cup (non-official tournament).

• Cindy LaCrosse (USA) – 24 years old, brilliant amateur, turned pro in 2009 and managed

2 Top 15 finishes this year in her first year at the LPGA Tour.

• Maria Verchenova (Russia) – 25 years old, Russian N°1, Russian amateur champion

between 2004 and 2006, advanced on the LET where she finished in the Top 15 at the

Turkish Airlines Ladies Open 2011.

• Grace Park(Korea) – 32 years old, pro since 1999, she has advanced impressively on the

LPGA Tour since 2000. Crowned Evian Masters 2001 ambassador, she has collected six

victories on the American circuit with one major title in 2004 (Kraft Nabisco

Championship) – the same tournament she placed tenth in last year.

• Caroline Rominger (Switzerland) – 28 years old, Swiss N°1, turned pro in 2009, Swiss

amateur champion between 2006 and 2008, advanced on the LET.

 

This year once again the Evian Masters will play host to the world’s elite. 111 of the best female players in the world will come together at the Evian Masters Golf Club course from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th July 2011. Among the top players are current world number one Yani Tseng, as well as 2010 world number one and defending champion Jiyai Shin.

Also joining them are the bright lights from Evian Masters 2010, such as Cristie Kerr (USA), Suzann Pettersen (NOR), Ai Miyazato (JAP), Paula Creamer (USA), Michelle Wie (USA), young Alexis Thompson and fellow American Morgan Pressel.

 From France, Virginie Lagoutte-Clément has been successful in gaining a place following her victory at the 2010 Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open, while Gwladys Nocera earned a place thanks to her position in the Rolex World Rankings.