Ayaka Furue clinched her first major title with a final-hole eagle, securing a dramatic victory at the Amundi Evian Championship.
The 24-year-old from Japan, ranked 21 in the world, began the final round at Evian Resort Golf Club a shot behind Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou and was three shots back with five to play before a thrilling late charge of three consecutive birdies put Furue back in contention.
Heading into the par-five final hole, there was a three-way tie for the lead, but Furue emerged victorious with an eagle putt to post a final-round 65 and close on 18 under, a shot clear of Kyriacou and two ahead of Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit to collect a first ever major title.
“I didn’t believe that I can get the Major win. I’m so happy right now,” said Furue, after scooping the $1.2m prize.
“I became a Star Wars fan like a month ago, and I love the sentence: ‘May the force be with you!’ The sentence came up in my mind, and I just kept going on with that quote,” she added.
Furue becomes the latest first-time winner on the LPGA Tour and is also Japan’s third women’s major winner after Hinako Shibuno, winner of the 2019 Women’s Open, and Hisako Higuchi, winner of the 1977 LPGA Championship.
Kyriacou, who narrowly missed out on victory, said: “Lots of positives to take away.
“I played great all week. Sucks not to hold the trophy. If you told me I would come second at the start of the week I would’ve been happy.”
What is the next event?
The next event on the LPGA Tour schedule is the Dana Open taking place between 18-21 July at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Ohio.