The Evian Masters, now in its fifth year on the LPGA Tour schedule as a co-sanctioned event between the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the Ladies European Tour (LET), has increased its purse by $400,000 from $2.1 to $2.5 million.
\"With the Evian Masters Golf Club celebrating its centennial year in 2004, the increase to $2.5 million for the 2004 Evian Masters is emblematic of the celebration that will take place at this year\'s event,\" said LPGA Commissioner Ty M. Votaw. \"The purse increase demonstrates Evian\'s continued commitment to the best female golfers in the world and reflects the global appeal of the LPGA and its players.\"
\"We are proud to belong to the LPGA sponsor family,\" said Frank Riboud, chairman and CEO, Danone Group, and president of the Evian Masters Sponsors Club. \"Indeed, as always, it has a lot to do with longtime personal relationships, not only with the players, but also with Ty [Votaw]. Thanks to our sponsors, it is great satisfaction to see the Evian Masters has now reached an undisputed international status.This centennial year at the Evian Masters Golf Club looks very exciting with Juli [Inkster] defending her title. Furthermore, the good news is 2004 happens to be a favorable year for the economics of the tournament, including exchange rates, which allows us to push the prize money to $2.5 million (USD). For the spirit of the event, as always the players are benefiting from the tournament\'s success. I look forward to welcoming everyone to the 2004 Evian Masters.\"
The tournament is contested at the scenic Evian Masters Golf Club, nestled into the picturesque French landscape near the Switzerland border. The 2004 staging of the Evian Masters is slated for July 21-24 and will feature the top players from the LPGA and the LET. LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame member Juli Inkster is the defending champion. Previous champions include Annika Sorenstam (2000, 2002) and Rachel Teske (2001).
For more information on the Evian Masters Golf Tournament, visit the tournament website at www.evianmasters.com