Natalie Gulbis Wins! C'est Magnifique!

Let's celebrate with a photo:

(Photo via FHM; more Natalie on FHM)

Congratulations to Natalie Gulbis on winning the Evian Masters in a playoff over Jeong Jang. Gulbis has never deserved comparison to Anna Kournikova (except in the babe department) and now should never have to endure that comparison again.

Gulbis' victory winds up what was a very interesting week in France:

• For a while it looked like one of the tour's lesser-known lights, such as Diana D'Alessio, might win.
• Then it seemed like a young Korean, such as Ji Yai-Shin, might be the one.
• It even appeared, briefly, that Michelle Wie might have a good week. I could write reams about Wie's week, but I won't. (Hey, sometimes even ol' Mullie here gets tired of talking about her.)
• Annika Sorenstam looked poised to make a charge, but didn't. She still had a very strong week.
• Lorena Ochoa did make an early charge Sunday and got herself into the mix, before finishing tied for third.
• It looked like Juli Inkster, at age 47, might become the oldest winner in LPGA history.
• And finally it seemed like Jeong Jang would steal that trophy right out from under Gulbis.

Jang birdied three of the final four holes, including the last, to tie Gulbis (who finished with four straight pars) at 4-under. The two moved into a playoff. Jeong's approach to the 18th green was long, over the back.

Gulbis hit a terrific shot to the middle of the green. Jeong's chip was OK, nothing special, and when Gulbis got her long putt to within a foot, Jeong had to make about a 10-footer to keep the playoff alive.

She didn't. Gulbis tapped in and raised her arms in triumph, and we can assume, relief. It must have been a great feeling.

During the trophy presentation, Gulbis wrapped herself in a large American flag and held the Evian Masters trophy aloft in her right hand, looking very much like Lady Liberty. Another gift from the French. Vive la France! Vive la Natalie!

Evian Masters scores