Recap of the first round
July 26, 2023 | R. Forgues
DAY 1
With a card of 64(-7), South Africa’s Paula Reto takes the lead at The Amundi Evian Championship 2023. For her 26th major, she played one of the finest rounds of her career. However, at the age of 33, with two victories as a professional and a second top 10 this year on the LPGA Tour ten days ago, she’ll have her work cut out to maintain this position. And there is no shortage of contenders snapping at her heels. Five strokes behind, four players share second place: Céline Boutier, Wichanee Meechai, Lydia Ko and Alison Lee.
The world number 1 and 2019 Evian winner has not won a major since, yet it’s not for want of trying. Jin-Young Ko’s seven top 10 finishes at her last fourteen Grand Slam tournaments testify to her amazing consistency at the highest level of women’s world golf. Obviously, when you have achieved such dominance in your sport, all eyes are on you. For the South Korean, the first round was a somewhat up-and-down affair, alternating birdies and bogeys to card a total of 70(-1). She is an outstanding champion and would no doubt have hoped for better. There is a chance, however, that this back-seat position, taking the spotlight off her slightly, might ultimately be to her advantage.
At the end of her round, she told French television: “It’s a positive day. I tried to be a bit more aggressive than usual on my birdie opportunities. Evian is a course which can be intimidating when you’ve never played it before, the fact that I’ve been here several times before helps me with the pressure of playing in France.”
As for Rose Zhang, she went full throttle on her round which started at hole 10 this morning, in the company of Nelly Korda and Minjee Lee. Presented as the future big star of women’s golf, the American, whose name is already on everyone’s lips, kept up the rhythm imposed by her two co-competitors of the day, both former major winners. However, Rose didn’t make it easy for herself. After a perfect start to the round, -2 at the start of her fourth hole, she needed some time to recover her rhythm. A few bogeys here and there until her 13th hole then four birdies on her final five, her result of 69(-2) demonstrates once again her force of character. Impressive willpower from a player who only turned pro last May. You can read more in her profile on our website.
- Unsurprisingly, Hyo Joo Kim got the job done. She has never missed the cut in eight appearances at Evian, and is on the way to continuing this incredible run. The end of the South Korean’s round was a little bumpy, finishing double bogey-birdie. In the end, she achieved a modest 71(par).