Fans are Furious with Evian Championship for Shortening Major to 54 Holes

The first round of the LPGA’s Evian Championship was canceled Thursday due to inclement weather. The cancellation was controversial since players had already played five holes, which were then erased from the record to refresh for the restart on Friday.

Officials decided to shorten the major event to 54 holes and basically starting the tournament as if Thursday never happened.

Well this was an interesting day lol 5 holes then ended up getting erased. But got a solid workout and stretching in 👍🏻 #restart

A post shared by Lexi Thompson (@lexi) on Sep 14, 2017 at 7:43am PDT

“The good news is the golf course is draining like never before, we really like what’s going on with the greens and fairways,” LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said. “But with the hills and caddie bags, today we were worried about safety, everything is pretty saturated and if somebody goes down it’s not going to be a great experience.”

While safety is of the utmost importance, shortening a major to 54 holes has made players and fans alike upset. Monday finishes are not ideal situations, but neither is cutting the legitimacy of an extremely important tournament.

Jessica Corda, who was leading at 2 under, tweeted sarcastically about the turn of events:

Yeah, I'm super pumped about it. https://t.co/69VK5eCqPU

— Jessica Korda (@Thejessicakorda) September 14, 2017

Writers and sports personalities backed her up immediately:

Hope the @LPGA has a good reason for shortening the Evian to 54 holes. Push it to Monday, next month, whenever. It's a major. Supposedly.

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) September 14, 2017

Tough that Evian coping w weather. Realize Monday (or Tuesday) finish not ideal, but 54 holes for a major? Credibility takes a hit.

— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) September 14, 2017

.@CharlieRymerGC: "I disagree whole heartedly [w/ scrapping scores today & shortening to 54 holes]. It diminishes the event."

— Randall Mell (@RandallMellGC) September 14, 2017

.@CharlieRymerGC on scrapping scores & shortening to 54 holes: "This event is not being treated w/ the gravity it deserves as a major."

— Randall Mell (@RandallMellGC) September 14, 2017

But it was the fans reactions that brought out the fury:

No way a major should be settled over 54 holes. Does not reflect well on the women's game which I follow with a passion!

— Leo Ford (@holton15) September 14, 2017

Surprised that a major would be reduced to 54 holes. What was wrong with a Monday finish? Never happen on the men's side

— Al MacIntyre (@AlMacIntyre1) September 14, 2017

A complete mockery of an already suspect major championship…..

— RAM (@Mitchenerrr1) September 14, 2017

…..and shortening the Evian to 54 holes won't help its cause. 🤔

— NN (@GoonerGolf) September 14, 2017

Terrible decision @LPGA. Send them out for 36 tomorrow. Makes @EvianChamp look like 2nd rate major. Very few take it as major, this no help.

— Gary Sobierajski (@gjsobie) September 14, 2017

The LPGA has made some tough decisions this year, most of which were chewed up and spat back out by the public. Whether it’s a controversial dress code amendment or hole changes in a major tournament, the organization is definitely in trouble. If the fans aren’t behind them, there’s no one else to support them, creating a ripple effect against golf’s most important outlet for female athletes.

LPGA’s commissioner Mike Whan released another statement as a result of the backlash they received, explaining in more detail why they made the decision they did:

Further explanation on our @EvianChamp decision: pic.twitter.com/tolIurqs7Q

— LPGA (@LPGA) September 14, 2017

Everything about this decision may make sense due to the weather, but shortening a major should never be the first call in this type of situation. It wouldn’t happen on the PGA Tour and it shouldn’t happen on the LPGA Tour either.