Japan’s Mika Miyazato defied atrocious weather and two delays to post a second round of 67 to take the halfway lead in the Evian Masters here on Friday.
However, Miyazato’s thunder was almost stolen by local girl Gwladys Nocera who attracted most of the attention as she also shot 67 and surged into second place.
It could have been even better for the 35-year-old who uses the course as a regular practice venue.
PHOTO: REUTERS
She birdied the short 17th from 15 feet to join Miyazato on nine under par, but hit a tree and dropped a shot at the long 18th. In fact, she holed a good putt from 12 feet for bogey to finish on eight under.
Nocera, a three-time Solheim Cup player and the European No. 1 player two years ago, has struggled in her five previous appearances at Evian. Her best performance was a tie for 41st and she has suffered the embarrassment of missing the cut on her past two attempts.
“But I do love playing here and, this time, I just went out and enjoyed it,” said the player who lives in Gland, close to Geneva. “I use the Evian Masters Training Academy and it feels so good to go out and play in front of so many home supporters.”
PHOTO: REUTERS
Miyazato — no relation to the world No. 1 and defending champion Ai Miyazato — had six birdies in her round and was especially pleased to hole from 10 feet for birdie at the last. A 20-year-old who lives in Florida and went to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, she is in her second year on the LPGA Tour with a fourth place as her best finish.
While her English is patchy, she clearly understood the question as to whether she was ready to win. Beaming broadly, she replied: “Almost.”
“It was hard because of the rain. But after the second delay, I felt refreshed and managed to stay focused,” she added, through an interpreter.
The first delay of about 25 minutes was followed by one of an hour and 40 minutes and it meant the final groups just completed before dark.
The big names had a mixed bag. The Miyazato who won last year, Ai, had a 72 for three under, while US Women’s Open Champion, Paula Creamer, posted a 73 for even par. Cristie Kerr, the US world No. 2, dropped a shot at the last for a 73 and one over.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng shot a 73 for three-under, while compatriot Candie Kung carded a 76 for even-par. Taiwan’s other two contenders also made the cut, Teresa Lu shooting a 73 for two-over and Amy Hung matching her score for a four-over total after two rounds.
Alexis Thompson, the 15-year-old new kid on the block, was thrilled with her 69 that left her on three under and still within range. Tied for 16th, her goal of a top ten finish remains well within sight.
Meanwhile, Franck Riboud, the President and founder or the Evian Masters, is hoping that the tournament could become the fifth women’s major.
Discussions are already underway with LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Won and a decision will be made by October.
“We want to become a major but, whatever happens, the Evian Masters will remain a unique and world-class event,” Riboud said. “This is our 17th staging and we grow every year.”
Won, who has been in the post six months, added: “We will sit down and talk and decide if it makes sense [to make Evian a major]. This is my first time at Evian and I couldn’t be more impressed. It is an exceptional tournament.”
The four women’s majors at present are the US-based Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA Championship and the US Women’s Open plus the Ricoh Women’s British Open, which takes place at Royal Birkdale in England next week.
Additional reporting by Staff Writer
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