Just weeks off her maiden major at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, South Korean sensation Haeran Ryu secured her second over the weekend at the Amundi Evian Championship.
The 25-year-old took a three-shot lead into Sunday’s final round at Evian Golf Resort after carding a record-breaking 11-under 60 on Saturday — the lowest round ever recorded in an LPGA major. While her third round featured nine birdies and an eagle, Ryu was unable to replicate that momentum on Sunday. A steady final round of pars was interrupted only by a bogey at the 8th and a clutch birdie at the 18th, which ultimately proved decisive as Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Japan’s Akie Iwai played catch-up.
Iwai faltered at the 1st and 3rd with a bogey and double-bogey, but she mounted an impressive comeback with five birdies to move within a shot of the lead by the 15th. Meanwhile, Henderson charged through the field from seven strokes back. She opened with a birdie before producing back-to-back eagles at the 7th and 8th to surge into contention, acing the latter. Although bogeys at the 11th and 17th interrupted her momentum, birdies at the 15th and 16th kept her on target. An eagle at the 18th ultimately forced a play-off, sending the 2022 champion back to the final hole to face Ryu.
At the first extra hole, Ryu found the middle of the fairway while Henderson made it into the rough with a drive that proved critical. The South Korean then found the green first and was just three feet short of an eagle putt. Henderson could only make par and Ryu’s birdie finish was all she needed to clinch a second major of her career.
“This is just a dream right now,” said the now two-time major winner with the trophy in her arms. “It was so tough today because my putt always missed the cup,” she went on. “Just made the one birdie on the last hole.
“Before these three weeks, I didn’t have a major championship — now two in a row. I am so happy, I can’t believe it.”
Her Canadian play-off partner Henderson had been hoping to become the first repeat winner of the event since it became the Tour’s fifth major in 2013.
“Obviously very exciting to get into the playoff,” Henderson said. “Wish I had played a little bit better, but Haeran has been playing great. Congrats to her.”
Ryu’s victory secured her second consecutive major title and made 2026 the first season in women’s golf history to feature two different double major winners. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who claimed the season’s first two majors at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open and was seeking the Grand Slam, arrived without her usual dominant form. Opening rounds of 74 and 69 left her short of the cut line, marking her first missed cut in over two years.
One shot adrift of Henderson, Iwai finished third on 18 under, recording the best major result of her career. Her compatriots Miyu Yamashita and Mao Saigo shared fourth on 15 under alongside South Korea’s Jin Hee Im.
What is the next event?
The next event on the LPGA Tour schedule is ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open taking place between 23-26 July at Dundonald Links in Gailes, North Ayrshire, Scotland.