Tradition of the sport must not be ignored
With a tip of the cap to the Dennis Miller television show in the US, it is time to remind that Evian spelled backwards is "naive".
The comedian used a bottled water of that particular brand as a stage prop during his stand-up routine, and frankly, any suggestion that the addition of the Evian Championship changes the status of Park In-Bee's historic quest should be greeted like one of Miller's witty quips - with laughter.
Park this week is attempting to become the first player, male or female, to consecutively win golf's four established majors in a single season. The fact that the upcoming Evian event has been designated as a fifth women's major, starting this year, changes nothing.
In baseball, a grand slam is a home run wherein all four bases are touched. In tennis, it is composed of four key events. Indeed, it was none other than Arnold Palmer who mused, 50 years ago: "Wouldn't it be great if golf had a grand slam like tennis?" Voila, now it does - with four tournaments.
A US website this week posted a poll, wherein respondents were asked whether Park is gunning for the grand slam this week, and 69 per cent voted in the affirmative.
Golf is about tradition, not buying cache by using financial leverage to coerce the cash-stapped LPGA into capitulating to the demands of deep-pocketed sponsors. Majors evolve, over time. Don't believe the propaganda and buy into the "fifth" major.
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