Australia’s Grace Kim became a first-time major winner after a play-off victory against World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul at The Amundi Evian Championship.
Sunday at the Evian Resort Golf Club saw the Australian playing alongside Thitikul and Somi Lee in the penultimate group. Thitikul had the lead coming into the back nine but by the 11th saw England’s amateur Lottie Woad match her thanks to a birdie on the 13th. The pair remained neck and neck until the 17th when Thitikul rolled a birdie to claim the solo lead. Meanwhile, Kim found herself three shots off the pace with four holes remaining but crawled into contention with back-to-back birdies at the 15th and 16th. A last minute eagle was still required to keep her chances alive and force a play-off and Kim managed just that to match Thitikul on 14 under after carding a final-round 67.
Returning to the 18th for their first extra hole, Kim found the green in two, but her second shot found the water hazard a way off from the hole. Thitikul also sent her second shot too far, but set up a promising birdie opportunity as it seemed she was on the verge of her first major. But Kim remained on her magic streak and managed a birdie after taking a drop from the penalty area. Thitikul sunk her shot to seal a birdie of her own meaning the pair moved on to a second extra hole. Despite Thitikul making a birdie, the title was Kim’s when he holed yet another eagle to secure her first major triumph and only her second career win since the 2023 Lotte Championship.
“I couldn’t breathe,” the 24-year-old said afterwards. “I couldn’t really see. I was like, ‘Is it dead straight?’ ‘Yeah.’ I’m hitting the putt. Glad it went in the hole.”
With her major victory, Kim becomes yet another player to win a maiden major at the Evian Resort Golf Club. Ayaka Furue managed the feat in 2024, while Celine Boutier did the same in 2023.
Three-time major winner Minjee Lee shared third alongside Woad on 13 under. The latter, who won last week’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open, now becomes the first player to become eligible for LPGA Membership through the new LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP).
What is the next event?
The next event on the Ladies European Tour is ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open taking place on 24-27 July at Dundonald Links in Scotland.