The Evian Championship organizing committee has just awarded its last wildcards. After the “Rolex Girls Junior Player of the Year 2016”, the Thai Paphangkorn Tavatanakit, it is the amateurs Albane Valenzuela (Switzerland), world No. 3, and Agathe Laisné (France), recent winner of the European Championship, as well as Natalie Gulbis, winner of the Evian Masters 2007.

They thus join the field of the 120 best players of the 5th and last Major of the season (September 14-17, 2017).

Albane Valenzuela - Photo: DR

At the beginning of the year, as part of the partnership with the AJGA, a first exemption was granted to the young Thai Paphangkorn Tavatanakit (17 years old), crowned by the Rolex Girls Junior Player of the Year 2016. Two other great amateur hopes therefore now receive their passport for the Evian Championship. The French Agathe Laisné (18 years old) convinced the Committee with her brilliant victory at the European Championship in Lausanne as did the young Swiss hopeful Albane Valenzuela (19 years old, world n ° 3 amateur), 2nd in the same event, who had notably represented his country at the Olympic Games in Rio last year.

The organizing committee, faithful to the values ​​of the Tournament, also decided to offer an exemption to Natalie Gulbis, Evian Masters 2007 champion.

Choices that are in keeping with the spirit of the Evian Championship to help develop the talents of tomorrow, while respecting values ​​and sporting performance.

Paphangkorn Tavatanakit, Thai amateur (17 years old)

First participation in the Evian Championship

Paphangkorn "Patty" Tavatanakit (17) won her passport to the Evian Championship 2017 thanks to her title of Rolex Girls Junior Player of the Year 2016. The number 1 Thai amateur, UCLA varsity player, had already won noticed in 2014 during the Callaway Junior World Championship with an incredible score of 60 (-12), a real feat.

Albane Valenzuela, Swiss Amateur (19 years old)

2 participations in the Evian Championship (2015, 2016)

After his selection to represent Switzerland at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and his beautiful 21st place, Albane joined the prestigious Stanford University and is currently in 3rd place in the world amateur ranking. Victim of a bicycle accident in March which forced her to forfeit ANA Inspiration, she has since returned to competition with a tenfold desire to play. She finished 2nd in the European Ladies' Championship at the end of July in Lausanne.

Agathe Laisné, French amateur (18 years old)

1 participation in the Evian Championship (2015)

The RCF player has just signed the feat: that of ousting the favorite, Albane Valenzuela, who left with 8 strokes in advance, to afford the title of European Ladies' Champion, 5 years after her compatriot Céline Boutier. The young baccalaureate (with honors) had distinguished herself earlier by finishing 1st in the qualifications which opened the doors to the US Women's Amateur from August 7 to 13, for a 2nd participation in this event.

Natalie Gulbis, American (34)

11 participations in the Evian Championship, victorious in 2007

Turned pro in 2001, on the LPGA Tour since 2002, Natalie Gulbis is one of the champions who marked the history of Evian with her great victory in 2007. Three times victorious in the Solheim Cup with the American team (2005, 2007 and 2009), the champion returns to face the elite.

To know more : www.evianchampionship.com