Tag: Amundi Evian Championship

Brooke Henderson, who hasn’t won a major in six years, holds two-shot lead at Amundi Evian Championship

Brooke Henderson is searching for her first major championship in six years.

Last year at the Amundi Evian Championship, Minjee Lee roared back from a seven-shot deficit to win her first major in a playoff. The effort matched the largest come-from-behind triumphs in LPGA major championship history, set by Patty Sheehan and Karrie Webb.

Given Evian’s reputation for low scores, it seems no lead is safe on the shores of Lake Geneva. Brooke Henderson led by as many as five on Saturday but ended the day with a two-stroke advantage over So Yeon Ryu, a two-time major winner who has struggled of late.

Henderson hasn’t won a major title since 2016 and paces the field at 17 under after posting a steady 68. The 11-time winner on the LPGA set a major championship record with back-to-back 64s in the first two rounds.

“It wasn’t my best today,” said Henderson, “but I really hung in there when I needed to, which feels nice. Was able to birdie a couple of the par 5s at least, which is good. I had a lot of good birdie looks, too, which is all you can really ask for.”

Nelly Korda came into the weekend trailing only Canada’s finest but walked off the 18th green in disbelief after an even-par 71. Four bogeys on the day dropped her into a share of sixth, six shots back of Henderson.

“I didn’t hit it very good,” said Korda, “Didn’t really putt great. Made some really good saves here and there, but overall a little bit of a disappointing day.”

Sophia Schubert of the United States competes in the Amundi Evian Championship in the French Alps town of Evian-les-Bains, a major tournament on the women’s calendar, on July 23, 2022. (Photo by JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK / AFP)

Sophia Schubert, the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, sits in solo third. Playing in only her second major as a professional, Schubert birdied the last four holes to get to 13 under. The Texas grad tied for 58th at the Evian five years ago, not long after she beat Albane Valenzuela in the final match of the Women’s Amateur.

“I’m just trying not to think about it in a way,” said Schubert. “I mean, I get to play with some of the best golfers in the world and I think to myself that I deserve to be here.

“I’m just trying to keep my confidence up and just keep going.”

Schubert will be paired in the penultimate group on Sunday alongside Carlota Ciganda, who is in a share of fourth with Sei Young Kim.

World No. 1 Jin Young Ko joins Korda in the group at 11 under. Ko won the 2019 Evian.

“Greens are slow and greens are soft,” said Ko, “so everybody can do like aggressive play. So, yeah, I do, too.”

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Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela on pace for career-best major finish at Amundi Evian, the course where her parents first met

Albane Valenzuela’s roots at the Amundi Evian Championship run deep.

Albane Valenzuela’s roots at the Amundi Evian Championship run deep. Her parents, Alberto and Diane, actually met at an exhibition match at Evian Golf Resort in 1991. The course had recently opened after a renovation and Franck Ribould invited four amateurs to play against four professionals. Alberto, a Mexican, was the reigning French Amateur champion.

Diane, a 10-handicap, was working in the export department for Evian at the time.

Now, more than 30 years later, their eldest child finds herself on the leaderboard at the LPGA major, in a share of 10th after a third-round 64.

“It means the world,” said Albane. “I love this place so much. This was the first major I played as an amateur, and I’m so thankful to Franck and the entire team at Evian for giving me that opportunity back then.”

Albane Valenzuela of Switzerland plays her second shot on the 11th hole on day one of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 21, 2022 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Valenzuela, a Stanford grad who was born in New York, plays under the Swiss flag and lived in nearby Geneva until the family moved to the Bahamas several years ago. After missing the cut in four appearances at the Evian on special invites, she finally played the weekend in 2019, ultimately taking a share of 37th.

Valenzuela has posted four top-25 finishes in her last six starts on the LPGA, with her best finish a share of fourth at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. She’s currently 57th in the CME points race. Her best finish in a major so far came as an amateur when she placed 24th at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open.

“You know, it’s funny,” said Valenzuela. “I had a little bit of slap in the face in Hawaii when my ball-striking was incredible and I just couldn’t score. I don’t think I was as happy.

“I think after Palos Verdes I stayed with my college roommates, and just finding that balance again of me, Albane as young woman and me, Albane as golfer are not the same. They don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

“So it was just kind of just going back to enjoying playing golf. I think I just have a renewed passion for the game. I just love it so much. But I probably love it more than I ever have in its highs and its lows.”

Valenzuela family at the 2019 Evian left to right: Alexis, Diane, Alberto, Albane. (Beth Ann Nichols)

Valenzuela spent two weeks in Paris before heading to her home club in Geneva last week. The time back in Europe has been good for the soul.

“Being back in Switzerland, this is a country I represent, the country I chose to play golf for,” she said, “and I think it’s – I just love coming back here.

“This is really home.”

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Photos: 2022 Amundi Evian Championship

Some of the best photos from the women’s fourth major of the year.

The best female golfers in the world are in France this week for their fourth major of the year, the Amundi Evian Championship.

The Evian Resort Golf Club is the host venue, a par-71 track measuring 6,523 yards.

The third-ranked player in the world, Nelly Korda, followed up her opening-round 64 with a 67 on Friday to take the lead after the morning wave. However, Brooke Henderson has played well so far Friday and has tied the top-ranked American.

Lydia Ko is another superstar playing in the afternoon wave for the second round and through 13 holes was 5 under on the day and one shot back.

Here are some of the best photos from the week.

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LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said she’d take the call from LIV Golf

“There’s a lot of factors to consider before we do business with LIV Golf.”

Greg Norman has left little doubt that LIV Golf wants to be involved in the women’s game. Just last week he told the Palm Beach Post, “One hundred percent. Drop the mic on that,” regarding a women’s league.

At this week’s Amundi Evian Championship, LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan told Cathy Harris of the London Times that she would take Norman’s call.

“It’s my responsibility to evaluate every opportunity,” Marcoux Samaan told Harris. “I would engage in a conversation if it would achieve our aim of promoting women’s golf, but there needs to be input from players and sponsors. There’s a lot of factors to consider before we do business with LIV Golf.”

Already entrenched in the Ladies European Tour, Golf Saudi currently backs six events – including the Aramco Team Series – which feature prize money that’s three to four times a typical event on that tour, totaling $6 million.

At the Evian this week, fans will notice a number of LPGA players with Aramco series and Saudi logos on their hats and shirts, including three-time major champion Anna Nordqvist, Carlota Ciganda, Bronte Law and Alison Lee.

Saudi Arabia has been accused of wide-ranging human rights abuses, including politically motivated killings, torture, forced disappearances and inhumane treatment of prisoners. And members of the royal family and Saudi government were accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.

The LPGA’s ability to withstand the departure of a wave of marquee players stands in stark contrast to the PGA Tour. Marcoux Samaan told Harris that “working together is always better than a fractured organization.”

At last month’s KPMG Women’s PGA, Maria Fassi told Golfweek that LIV Golf is “truly all we talk about on the course and in dining.” On the range at Congressional, Cristie Kerr said “the entire tour” might leave if faced with the opportunity to earn life-changing money.

“Everybody has different opinions in terms of what the guys are doing,” said Fassi, “but then when it’s switched to us, it would be very hard to say no to that.”

Fassi went on to say that, if possible, she’d like to see the tour work with the Saudi-backed league rather than against it to ensure the long-term health of the LPGA. And not just events with several dozen players like the current LIV format, but full-field events.

“I think all of us care about this tour a lot,” said Fassi. “I don’t think any of us truly want to leave.”

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Closing eagle puts top-ranked American Nelly Korda in command at Amundi Evian Championship

Korda had just one thing on her mind after her second-round 67, a nap.

Historically speaking, Nelly Korda hasn’t done much of note at the Amundi Evian. She and her caddie high-fived last year after a career-best share of 19th.

How is she feeling midway through this year’s Evian?

“Honestly, super good,” said the top-ranked American. “A little pat on my back after two days, hopefully it keeps going that way.”

After starting her second round with 10 consecutive pars, Korda broke through with a 32 on the back nine to climb into the top spot at 11-under 131. Korda shot 64-67 in the first two rounds and holds the clubhouse lead over former Evian champion Hyo Joo Kim, who shot 66.

After having to play out of the water on the 18th on Thursday, Korda hit a gorgeous approach from 192 yards on the closing par 5 to within a couple feet on Friday, wrapping up Day 2 with a birdie-eagle flourish.

“I tried to kind of control a hybrid in because it wasn’t really sitting that great in the first cut. It was kind of sitting a little down,” said Korda, “and I didn’t really want to crush a 5-iron because I did not want to repeat what I did yesterday. Rather go long.”

Korda said she has struggled more than usual with jet lag this week and planned to take a nap after the round. She didn’t even see the back nine prior to Thursday’s round after the Wednesday pro-am was shortened to nine holes.

Linn Grant, the talented Swede who made history by becoming the first woman to win on the DP World Tour at the Scandinavian Mixed last month, sits at 4 under for the tournament. A double-bogey on the par-3 14th derailed her efforts a bit. She’s currently in a share of 15th.

The former Arizona State standout has won three times on the Ladies European Tour this season and is No. 102 in the Rolex Rankings.

“I think playing on the LET is really, like you’re saying, boosts my confidence a little bit,” said Grant. “I mean, I knew my own game before turning pro, but turning pro you never know what’s going to happen, right? So just playing there and get some wins, kind of know how to win, kind of get even better at that sort of. I think that’s preparing me for weeks like this, just to grind it out.”

Brooke Henderson opened with a 64 and is in the afternoon wave. Overnight leader Ayaka Furue followed her opening 63 with a 72 and trails Korda by four.

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Evian Championship x Malbon Golf apparel collection to celebrate elite female players

Malbon Golf has released limited edition designs to honor the prestigious Evian Championship.

Malbon Golf has been taking the golf apparel scene by storm with its vintage and contemporary streetwear threads.

To celebrate the Amundi Evian Championship, Malbon has released limited edition designs to honor the prestigious tournament and all the elite female players in the field.

The collection features an Evian pink bomber jacket and white bucket hat. The Amundi Evian Championship has been sponsored by Evian since 1994 and has been known to highlight an international field of amazing female golf athletes. This limited edition collection is going to go fast.

You can shop this collection and more here.

Malbon Golf x Evian Championship apparel
Malbon Golf x Evian Championship apparel. (Malbon Golf)

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Ayaka Furue leads Evian Championship, but world No. 3 Nelly Korda and No. 10 Brooke Henderson are on her heels

Four of the world’s top 10 players sit inside the top 10 through round one.

The best players in the women’s game are in France for the Amundi Evian Championship, their fourth of five majors this season and several of the biggest names in the field have already risen to the top.

Ayaka Furue, world No. 31, didn’t get off to a great start Thursday afternoon. After three straight pars to open her round, Furue’s first shape on the scorecard was a square which came at the par-4 13th, her fourth hole of the day. She’d bounce back nicely with four birdies over the last five holes of her outward nine.

The birdies didn’t stop once she made the turn as she added circles on Nos. 2, 3, 6, 7 and the par-5 9th.

The woman Furue was chasing all afternoon was Brooke Henderson, who teed off in the morning wave and got right to work with birdies on Nos. 10 and 11, her first two holes of the day. The remaining seven holes of her front nine were shapeless as she’d turn with a 2-under 34.

Maybe it was a quick snack at the halfway house, but the Canadian came out guns blazing on the second side. Birdies at Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 got her to 6 under for the day before trading a bogey on the par-3 8th with an eagle at the par-5 9th.

Henderson has finished inside the top 20 at all three majors so far this season, with her best performance coming at the Chevron in March (T-13).

World No. 3 Nelly Korda said earlier in the week she’s enjoying the record heat wave Europe is currently experiencing, as temperatures are expected to hover in the 90s all week.

“I enjoy playing in this. I would pick this over playing in cold any day. I do not enjoy playing golf in cold weather,” she said on Wednesday. “I actually make my schedule where I play mostly in warm weather…Growing up in Florida I’m so used to playing and practicing in this, so it doesn’t really bother me.”

Well, the sweat-drenched practice sessions paid off for the 23-year-old as she made it look easy around the Evian Resort Golf Club on Thursday.

Birdies on Nos. 12, 13, 15 and 17 sent her out with a 4-under 32. She’d add three more on her back nine, the course’s front nine, for an opening-round bogey-free 7-under 64.

The scorecard could have looked a lot better, too, if she took care of Nos. 7 and 9, both par 5s where she failed to capitalize on birdie bids.

Korda’s highlight of the day was a near ace at the par-3 5th.

The major champion was awarded Best Athlete, Women’s Golf at the ESPYs Wednesday night (Justin Thomas won in the men’s category).

Since returning from surgery on a blood clot in her arm, Korda has three top 10 finishes in four starts including a tie for eighth at the U.S. Women’s Open in June.

Cheyenne Knight sits solo fourth at 6 under, while Jin Young Ko, Lydia Ko, Charley Hull, Yuna Nishimura and Perrine Delacour are T-5 at 5 under.

Friday’s TV and streaming schedule

Golf Channel: 5-7 a.m. ET and 9:30-11:30 a.m. ET
NBC Sports: 7-8 a.m. ET and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET

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Danielle Kang, who was diagnosed with a tumor on her spine, will not compete in this month’s Amundi Evian Championship

Kang revealed at the 77th U.S. Women’s Open that she has a tumor on her spine.

Danielle Kang will miss another major championship.

In June, the American star revealed at the 77th U.S. Women’s Open that she has a tumor on her spine. Kang made the cut at Pine Needles but hasn’t played since, returning home to Nevada to continue testing.

The 29-year-old posted on Twitter Thursday that she will miss the Amundi Evian Championship as well as the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open. She did not, however, rule out of the AIG Women’s British Open, which takes place the following week at Muirfield Aug. 4-7.

The 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA champion was also unable to compete in this year’s historic staging at Congressional.

“My team consists of the most amazing people I’ve ever worked with,” Kang wrote in her post, “and they are doing all they can to get me back competing as soon as possible.”

A six-time winner on the LPGA, Kang endured back pain for several months before finding out about the tumor in late April after she withdrew from the Palos Verdes Championship.

When asked if the tumor was benign, Kang told a small group of reporters at Pine Needles: “I really don’t have the answers now.”

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Rose Zhang, Rachel Heck and Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner Anna Davis among six wild cards for next LPGA major

Future stars of the women’s game are bound for the LPGA’s fourth major of the season in France.

The Amundi Evian Championship has announced six wild card selections for this year’s event, slated for July 21-24. The season’s fourth major will be held at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains, France, with an increased purse of $6.5 million and $1 million to the winner.

World No. 1 Jin Young Ko headlines the field along with No. 2 Nelly Korda and last year’s winner Minjee Lee, who won the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles in June and finished runner-up at the KPMG Women’s PGA.

Five amateurs and one professional have been award exemptions this year, including top-ranked amateur Rose Zhang.

A look at the wild cards for 2022:

Amundi Evian Championship increases prize fund to $6.5 million, winner set to receive $1 million

The 2022 event will be held at the picturesque Evian Resort Golf Club from July 21-24 in Évian-les-Bains, France.

The Amundi Evian Championship has announced an increase in purse size to $6.5 million for 2022, up $2 million from last year. The winner will receive $1 million. In 2021, Minjee Lee earned $675,000 for her first major triumph.

The 2022 event will be held at the picturesque Evian Resort Golf Club from July 21-24 in Évian-les-Bains, France.

The Amundi Evian Championship
Muni He tees off the second hole during day one of 2021 Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France. Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

The announcement comes as other LPGA majors have significantly raised the bar in recent years. Earlier this year, the USGA nearly doubled the U.S. Women’s Open purse to a historic $10 million for 2022. Last summer, the AIG Women’s British Open set a new record for women’s golf with a $5.8 million prize fund. This year, when the event moves to Muirfield for the first time, players will compete for $6.8 million.

The winner of the CME Group Tour Championship in 2022 will earn the largest check in women’s golf: $2 million.

LPGA players will compete for more than $90 million in 2022, a tour record. As is the case with other majors, players who miss the cut at the Evian will receive unofficial earnings to help cover expenses.

“We are incredibly appreciative of our friends and partners at The Amundi Evian Championship for their ongoing support of the LPGA Tour and the world’s best female golfers,” said Marcoux Samaan in a statement. “Elevating the purse of this major championship makes a powerful statement about the value and status of the women’s game and the strong commitment of Amundi, Danone, Evian and Rolex to advancing the LPGA and our world-class athletes. We look forward to a spectacular week in Evian-les-Bains and I know that our players will share my gratitude and excitement.”

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