Brooke Henderson, a professional golfer who has achieved 20 wins since 2014, secured victory in last year’s Amundi Evian Championship with a final-hole putt, defeating rookie Sophia Schubert by one shot. This tournament marks Henderson’s seventh participation in the championship, which commences on Thursday and is the sole major event held in continental Europe. Furthermore, it is the only women’s major played at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France, the tournament’s host for almost three decades. This uniqueness presents both an opportunity and a challenge for players who must prepare to compete on a course that experienced significant redesigning ten years ago. While the familiarity of returning to the same course annually might suggest easier preparation, the course itself has garnered mixed reviews. Termed “quirky” and “unfair,” it led major champion Stacy Lewis to forego participation for two consecutive years. In contrast, other major tournaments are hosted at venues where men have previously triumphed. Examples include the United States Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the upcoming Oakmont, Pinehurst, Merion, and Los Angeles County Club venues, which hosted this year’s men’s United States Open. Similarly, the KPMG Women’s P.G.A. Championship transpired at Baltusrol this year and the A.I.G. Women’s Open took place at Muirfield last year, a prominent Scottish golf course with rich historical significance. However, despite reservations surrounding the Evian Championship, players are unlikely to skip this major event, necessitating a unique approach to preparation. Furthermore, the demanding travel schedule of female golfers, who must journey more extensively throughout the season compared to their male counterparts on the PGA Tour, calls for different training strategies than for majors held on familiar courses. Adding to that, many players competed in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in the United States the previous week. When asked about her preparation for the Evian, Henderson offered a reserved response, stating, “My team and I concentrate on peaking during majors and work tirelessly to prepare mentally and physically for those weeks.” She further emphasized the distinct and comprehensive challenges posed by major courses like the Amundi Evian Championship, which demand adjustment in strategy based on personal experience and course conditions. Conversely, other players, particularly those who have not claimed major titles, approach these tournaments differently. Ally Ewing, a three-time LPGA Tour winner, commented, “We always prioritize the majors to attain peak form during those tournaments. As someone who values the process, I focus on preparing in the spring to perform consistently at the Evian. Various factors contribute to competing in a tournament like that, so I mark those dates on my calendar.” Ewing, who achieved joint 30th position during her rookie season in 2016, centered her attention on controlling what she could during the preparation process. She emphasized the significance of establishing a solid foundation during her early development, ensuring her ball position and putting stroke remained consistent. Moreover, she highlighted the importance of understanding the course, particularly in terms of tempo and familiarity with approach shots, as well as honing her putting skills and discerning ideal placing on the greens. The familiarity of returning to the Evian course aids in managing specific variables during gameplay. Ewing stated, “All three of my wins took place on courses new to me. Arriving at a course where I possess no previous memories evokes a feeling similar to cramming before an exam. At Evian, with countless side-hill lies, I work on acclimatizing to my surroundings. Though golf courses differ, I remain consistent.” Ewing underlined the significance of strategy, whether facing a course for the sixth time, such as at Evian, or playing at a new venue. She discussed the necessity of analyzing course characteristics, such as greens’ pitch, and adjusting accordingly to secure birdies or at least par. Meticulous consideration of course features helps professional golfers achieve optimal results regardless of individual shots going astray. Lizette Salas, in her 13th season on tour, occasionally encountered difficulties at the Evian but viewed the challenges as an opportunity for personal growth. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that certain courses may not suit a player or their past performance. However, as purses increase, players are encouraged to view such challenges as novel opportunities and strive to adapt. Salas’ first participation at the Evian in 2013 yielded her best finish, sharing 11th position. Salas believes effective preparation lies at the core of a successful performance in a major tournament. She noted the evolution of her preparation approach, highlighting how initial tendencies focused on playing the course multiple times. Over time, Salas realized the importance of pacing oneself, opting to play the course no more than twice before the event and concentrating on identifying overarching trends. Due to scheduling constraints, players lack the luxury of arriving early at a familiar course. Nevertheless, Salas demonstrated her dedication by arriving at Pebble Beach a month in advance of the recent U.S. Women’s Open, playing two rounds to assess wind patterns. Following her participation in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational as the defending champion, Salas traveled to France in preparation for the Evian. However, her philosophy remains consistent, prioritizing what she calls “boring golf” and avoiding excessive ball-hitting during preparation. Instead, she focuses on acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the course to determine the best approach. Finally, some players attempt to diminish the pressure associated with major events and approach the week like any other tournament. Jessica Korda, who has experienced three missed cuts at Evian, adopts this mindset, treating the event as an ordinary competition. With this perspective, players have a better chance of achieving success in the tournament.
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