Evian Championship 2014 - Wie retires injured

Day one of the Evian Championship 2014 in perfect weather conditions saw some low scores being posted on the board. We saw world No.9 Karrie Webb shoot 8 birdies for the day with a couple of hiccups, she closed at -6.

Most would believe that this would be the score to chase for the afternoon groups. Defending champion Suzann Pettersen made an amazing come back after a start she did not envisage, taking bogey on her first hole (10th). By the time she reached her 12th, after a couple of up’s and down’s she was still at +1. From the par 3, 5th hole, Pettersen strung an amazing 5 birdies together. This put her into equal 4th at -4.

As we were all applauding great starts from Webb, Pettersen, Brittany Lincicome and Julieta Granada, there was an acknowledgement that a few of the Korean players Inbee Park and Hyo-Joo Kim weren’t far behind.

Time seemed to stand still as Hyo-Joo Kim suddenly reached -6 to sit equal with Webb but Kim had seven holes to complete.

Hyo-Joo Kim is a 19 year old that plays of the Korean LPGA. She is No.20 on the Rolex rankings and with the sun shining this straight hitter was ‘having a day out’.

Kim parred the 12th, and with back to back birdies on 13 and 14, she was now -8, 2 shots ahead of Webb. I sat waiting for her nerves to kick in, a hint that she was unravelling. Her shoulders must be getting tight, something had to happen.

Did it?

With ease and flow, Kim looked for all her 19 years, what we have seen so many times before in Lydia Ko and Minjee Lee, an innocence. No nerves. Just playing the game. Kim went on to birdie 16 and why not throw another one in for good measure at 18.

What an amazing round. 61. The lowest in a major -10.

Speaking through an interpreter, Kim said “My goal is have a good experience here. That’s all “Ladies European Tour (LET)

“My goal is have a good experience here. That’s all “

Hyo-Joo Kim’s day aside, although it is difficult to see past, the biggest news hailing from the championship and what seemed apparent to many was would Michelle Wie’s injury see her through the event. We watched on as Wie was in obvious discomfort. She fought on through many holes in pain with the crowd carrying her though. After 13 holes, reluctantly, Wie had to call it a day and she retired from the event.

There are 28 players under the card for the day. With all the excitement a major can bring, some of the brilliance out on the greens and fairways took a back seat.

The projected cut sits at +1 and some players will have to rally. World No.1 Stacy Lewis would normally be feeling comfortable with her position at -1. With 9 shots off the leader it’s going to take some deep resolve for her and others to chase that score down.

Evian Championship 2014 – Day 1 Round-up

By Annette Walker | Sep 12, 2014