The week is finally here. After announcing in May her intentions to withdraw from the LPGA Tour, the great Japanese player Ai Miyazato will travel to the Evian Championship this week for her final competition.

Ai Miyazato, posing with her "William & Mousie Powell" trophy at the LPGA Rolex Awards Celebration - © Scott Halleran / LPGA

"I feel happy, but I'm so sad to be leaving at the same time, because like I said I had all my friends on the Tour, I will miss them", said Miyazato, who previously won the 2009 and 2011 editions of the Evian Masters, becoming a major in 2013. “Specifically the first two days it's going to be a really mixed feeling of emotion that I think I have. I really have to control myself because otherwise it will be really difficult for me. "

The Evian Championship marks the culmination of a career that took Miyazato to the top of the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings for 11 weeks in 2010. That same year, she led the LPGA Tour with five wins and won four more. titles during its 12 years on the LPGA Tour. Miyazato also has 15 JLPGA titles to her name and has become one of the Tour's most beloved players.

"It is definitely one of my favorite tournaments of the whole year"said Miyazato, whose victory at the 2009 Evian Masters was his first LPGA tournament.

“Specifically, this week will be my last event, the last of the last, and I feel very good. I'm ready this week to play really well actually, and I'll see all my friends in this tournament. So, this is awesome! "

Miyazato played sparingly in 2017, contenting himself with competing in 11 events. However, she comes to Evian-les-Bains fresh from her best end of the season where she finished T5 two weeks ago at the Cambia Portland Classic.

And what awaits Ai Miyazato next? Only time will tell.

“I haven't made any decisions, but now I have time to think. It'll be fun ", she said, with her beautiful smile beaming the room.