LPGA Resets Scores, Shortens Major to 54 Holes

Imagine being atop the leaderboard in a major, only to have to have your score be wiped away like it never happened.

That’s what the leaders at the Evian Championship faced on Thursday after the executive decision was made to reset the scores after the first round was washed out due to weather. Now, the LPGA Tour’s final major held at Evian Resort Golf Club in France will be shortened a 54-hole event. 

Golf Channel’s Randall Mell has the details: 

The Evian Championship’s abbreviated start was scrapped Thursday after play was suspended because of a storm that brought high winds and rain, leading to the LPGA announcing that the event would be shortened to 54 holes.

Rolex world No. 1 So Yeon Ryu and Jessica Korda were leading at 2-under through six and eight holes, respectively, when play was halted. World No. 3 Sung Hyun Park was at 6 over through five holes.

All the scores from Thursday will be taken off the board, with play beginning anew on Friday.

“While we did not make this decision lightly, we believe that this is the right decision,” LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said in a statement. “We are happy and encouraged with how well the golf course is handling the weather, and it should set up for another amazing Evian finish.”

Whan said wind gusts up to 45 mph were reported on Thursday, and that while the forecast is pretty good for Friday and Saturday, more rain is expected Sunday. He told the Associated Press that a 54-hole event was the “cleanest, fairest, most competitive” option, given “nobody even played half a round.” He didn’t like the possibility of play extending beyond Sunday; though, there is no LPGA event scheduled for next week.

“We know that if we said 72 holes and we start again tomorrow (Friday), we’re probably looking at Monday and Tuesday, and that’s not great for anyone,” Whan said.

As expected, the decision drew much criticism and even put the event’s credibility as a major into question.

Regardless of how many holes are played, somebody will be crowned a major champion on Sunday – or Monday.

[Golf Channel]

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