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It wasn’t the first question from NBC Sports’ Tom Abbott when he greeted new 18th-place Chevron Champion Lilia Vaux, but it was certainly the most anticipated.
“There are a lot of people here wondering about one question: Are you going to jump?” broadcaster Vu asked. The interview took place immediately after the 18th Green crowd had rung into Carlton Woods with chants of “JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!”
“Of course I am! After that? Yes, of course!” Fu said, moments after sinking the playoff-winning shot against Angel Yin.
But before Fu could head to the dock off the 18th green in the short lake from the green, Abbott delivered a warning.
“Now I want to tell you here, you need to jump off the end of the dock here, okay?” Abbot said. “Jump as high as you can and enjoy it.”
Words that are hard to hear after a week of “Do you want or don’t you?” In connection with the ancient tradition of the event.
“This direction from Tom does not instill confidence,” said play announcer Terry Gannon.
However, with a three-step run from the dock, golf’s newest grand champion has answered everyone’s question.
At Mission Hills Country Club’s former chevron home in the California desert, winners would take a dip and jump into Poppie’s Pond from the 18th green. Over the years, the club has warmed to this tradition by giving the pond a major cleanup. So much so that it resembles the serenity of a swimming pool.
With the Clubhouse at Carlton Woods hosting for the first time its first LPGA major tournament of the year, the lake below the 18th green has been dredged, pavement laid and “crocodile netting” added to keep the area safe from wildlife. However, tournament organizers are still unsure if the eventual champion will continue the tradition.
The event’s defending champion, Jennifer Copshaw, stopped short of a big nod when asked before the tournament if she would recreate her dives from last year.
“I think we’ll see what comes out of that,” she said on Tuesday. “I’m not sure. I think there might be snakes in the water here, so it might be a little exciting.”
There is no information whether the crocodile net is able to stop the snakes.
Other reactions from players were mixed, with Nelly Korda saying she “hoped” she would jump and world number one Lydia Ko questioning whether the tradition should be maintained at all.
Six days later, the debate is no more.