Some stories are reserved for the greatest sporting occasions. The Amundi Evian Championship delivered a new one this Sunday. Buoyed by her record-breaking round on Saturday, Hae Ran Ryu looked to have the tournament under control. But The Champions Course offered no favors, and neither did her rivals. Under pressure until the last putt, the Korean had to produce a crucial birdie on 18 before heading into a gripping play-off with Brooke Henderson, on outstanding form. After a breathtaking finale, Ryu claimed her second major championship title in two weeks. An extraordinary victory.

The day following her incredible round in 60 (-11), setting a new course record and the lowest score ever produced at a women’s major, Hae Ran Ryu experienced a more eventful day than expected. Struggling on the greens, the 25-year-old Korean saw her 3-shot lead disappear as a fired-up chasing pack, including a determined Aki Iwai and Brooke Henderson in sublime form, mounted the charge.

The Canadian, winner of the tournament in 2022, set the crowd alight with a spectacular comeback. A hole-in-one at the 8th and two eagles pushed Hae Ran Ryu to her limits right up to the 18th. A final eagle by Brooke Henderson reignited the suspense; a birdie from Hae Ran Ryu extended the battle into a play-off, won with composure on the first hole.

“It all feels like a dream”, declared the new star of Korean golf, as she was showered with champagne and held the trophy close. The little girl who dared to dream big at The Amundi Evian Juniors Cup 2015 knows that at Evian, dreams can come true. Even the biggest dreams.

The finale Gazette is available here.