The 2024 edition of The Amundi Evian Championship concluded this Sunday under a magnificent summer sun, with a suspense-filled victory by Japanese golfer Ayaka Furue. She outperformed her runner-up Stephanie Kyriacou by a single stroke to claim the title. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of this Major, marked by the omnipresent pink theme on Sunday, it was a historic week.

First Round Sets the Pace

From the start of the tournament, the battle for the top spot was fierce. The competition kicked off with a bang, featuring two hole-in-ones by England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Taiwanese amateur Chun-Wei Wu. Many players delivered high-caliber golf that day; some were expected to excel, while others were surprising contenders.

One unexpected standout was Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad, ranked 581st in the Rolex Women’s Ranking. She made a stunning entry with an impressive first-round score of 64 (-7), matching the scores of Patty Tavatanakit and Gemma Dryburgh, both within the top 100 globally. The Thai golfer, accustomed to major events, posted the best round of her career at Evian on Thursday, while the Scottish player, who had missed four consecutive cuts, matched her feat. A flurry of scores in the 65 (-6) and 66 (-5) range followed throughout Thursday.

Weather-Disrupted Friday

While the first day basked in sunshine, Friday saw less favorable conditions. Half of the players managed to complete their rounds before play was interrupted around 4:30 PM, officially suspended nearly two hours later.

South Korea’s Yu-Jin Sung delighted early-rising spectators with the first 63 (-8) of the week, featuring seven birdies and an eagle, placing her in the top six of the Major. Meanwhile, Nelly Korda started her week quietly, just making the cut, while 2023 winner Céline Boutier completed her second round with a 68 (-3) after an opening 69 (-2). Our first-night leaders posted more modest scores.

A Marathon Saturday

At 7:30 AM, the 66 players who hadn’t finished their second 18 holes were already back in action to try and make the cut. The second round of the Major highlighted the surge of Japanese golfer Ayaka Furue. Particularly impressive the previous day, she ended her first two rounds as the sole leader.

Facing the 30th Evian weekend required resilience. Slowly but surely, a leading pack formed at the top of the leaderboard. American Lauren Coughlin posted another 65 (-6), her second of the week, propelling her to second place. Equally surprising, Australian Stephanie Kyriacou went on a mission, carding three rounds of 66-66-67. Her fourteen-under-par total made her the sole leader by Saturday evening. Ayaka Furue, on the other hand, had a quiet third round with a 70 (-1), placing her one stroke behind Kyriacou, ready to share the final round with her on Sunday.

A Celebratory Sunday, Furue Victorious

Despite the odds being low for Céline Boutier to defend her title, the French crowd, fervent golf fans, came to cheer her on. They also followed the exploits of the leading players, proudly sporting pink to celebrate the tournament’s 30th anniversary. On this Major Sunday, three players stood out from the rest: Ayaka Furue, Lauren Coughlin, and Stephanie Kyriacou, leading the charge into the final round.

Though they differed greatly in character and background, the leaders shared a common goal: to win their first Major. As soon as this group set off on The Champions Course, birdies rained down. With five birdies among the trio on the first three holes, the spectacle and suspense were at their peak. Throughout the final 18 holes, the spotlight shifted among the three. Furue reached -14 at the 14th tee, Kyriacou at -16, and Coughlin at -17. But the Japanese player, who was interrupted at this exact point on Friday, decided to make her own thunderous comeback. Three consecutive birdies on holes 14, 15, and 16 put her back on track, while Lauren Coughlin faced her first bogey of the day on the 16th green.

At the 18th tee, the situation was crystal clear: Patty Tavatanakit had finished with a total of -17, leaving Kyriacou and Furue with their fate in their hands. Both had the opportunity to surpass the Thai golfer with scores below par. Kyriacou landed her approach shot three meters from the flag for a birdie, while Furue was just a bit further in eagle position. The moment had come. Ayaka Furue seized her momentum, sinking a final putt to win The Amundi Evian Championship 2024, her first Major victory.

A Historic Ceremony

Fifteen years after Ai Miyazato, The Champions Course crowned another Japanese golfer, Ayaka Furue, on the tournament’s 30th anniversary. The Pink Lady of the day, donning a pink skirt for the occasion, was welcomed on the 18th green by Jacques Bungert, Franck Riboud, and Valérie Baudson for the trophy presentation. The flag of the Land of the Rising Sun unfurled over our new champion, marking the start of the celebrations as the Evian crowd, after a week of sumptuous golf, celebrated the 2024 winner.

The tournament teams, along with all partners, volunteers, and groundskeepers, thank you for your invaluable support each year. The Major’s prize money continues to rise, the Sponsors Club keeps growing, and The Amundi Evian Championship is now thirty years old. Long live women’s golf, and see you next year!