Like two different long-ago guests to France, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, who all the time had Paris within the 1942 film “Casablanca,” Natalie Gulbis of the US, a longtime member of the L.P.G.A. Tour, can say she’s going to all the time have Evian.
Gulbis, who 3 times performed within the Solheim Cup, a biennial match wherein a European workforce performs an American workforce, registered her lone tour victory on the Evian Masters in 2007, beating Jang Jeong of South Korea by two-putting from 25 ft for a birdie on the primary playoff gap. Trailing Juli Inkster by 4 photographs heading into the ultimate spherical, she closed with a two-under 70.
Gulbis, 40, who performs only a few tournaments nowadays and has undergone a number of again surgical procedures, mirrored just lately on her victory in France.
The dialog has been edited and condensed.
What stands out about that week in 2007?
The reduction that I may win a match. I had labored so onerous to develop into a tour skilled, and I had completed second one too many occasions earlier than. And that occasion is so extremely particular. I used to be paired with Annika [Sorenstam], who was considered one of my finest mates on tour.
What do you recall concerning the playoff gap?
I bear in mind making an attempt to deal with hitting it [her second shot] strong and ensuring that I carried the water and gave myself an opportunity. My caddie gave me much less membership. He knew that gamers who get in rivalry all the time have additional adrenaline.
What’s so particular concerning the Evian occasion?
It’s on this most lovely place up within the hills overlooking Lake Geneva, the golf course is unbelievable, and simply the way in which they deal with you from begin to end. It’s actually the closest factor we have now to the Masters.
Any rationalization for why it was your solely tour victory?
No. And I don’t even give it some thought until someone asks. I actually don’t. After I look again at my profession, essentially the most enjoyable and memorable occasions have been workforce occasions. It might be fascinating to see how I’d really feel if I had gained 10 [individual] occasions. I don’t know if I’d sit right here feeling considerably totally different.
So that you’re not disenchanted?
I believe I’d really feel responsible if I felt disenchanted. The chance to be knowledgeable athlete is so particular, and I simply don’t take that as a right. To compete everywhere in the world and play for a corporation just like the L.P.G.A. has far exceeded any expectation I may have ever imagined.
What’s the state of the tour nowadays?
In 2023, we’re taking part in for $101 million, 33 occasions. Completely loopy if I’d have thought 10 years in the past that the L.P.G.A. can be taking part in for over $100 million in a season.
What’s essentially the most nervous you ever had been in a Solheim Cup?
In Sweden in 2007, I used to be the anchor match [in the final group]. After which, that morning, I assumed, ‘What did I decide to?’ Which means it may come right down to my match. It didn’t, and I ended up profitable my match anyway.
Are you enthusiastic about being an assistant to captain Stacy Lewis at this fall’s Solheim Cup in Spain?
I’m excited. It’s a very totally different expertise being a captain than it’s being a participant, and I believe I’m going be much more nervous as a captain. Stacy has labored so onerous, and he or she is so dedicated to attempt to get that cup again, and I simply wish to assist her in any approach I can.
Would you wish to be a captain your self some day?
I’m unsure. I don’t prefer to say till I’ve fully seen what it’s prefer to be an assistant captain during.
What was the most important affect your teacher, Butch Harmon, made on you?
Every thing. How a lot time do you could have? I began working with him after I was 18, and what he has finished for me, on and off the golf course, it’s wonderful. He’s helped me in each side of being knowledgeable golfer, and it’s a lot greater than competing. He’s such an enormous fan of girls’s golf, and I’m so grateful I’ve had the chance to work with him for 20 years.