The first day on the sun-drenched course at the Evian Resort Golf Club has concluded, with 132 competitors battling it out. Patty Tavatanakit, a seasoned player on the LPGA Tour, marked her best career score in Evian by playing seven strokes under par. Joining her at the top is newly professional Ingrid Lindblad (SWE) with an equally impressive score. Gemma Dryburgh (SCO) also carded a 64(-7), resulting in a three-way tie for the lead.

Tavatanakit, Lindblad, and Dryburgh: 21 Birdies, No Bogeys 

Starting from the 10th hole alongside young players Rachel Kuehn (USA) and Nataliya Guseva (RUS), the 24-year-old Thai golfer showcased superb golf this morning, securing a co-lead. With three birdies in her first four holes and three consecutive birdies between the 17th and 1st holes, half of which (holes 12, 17, and 18) were simple "tap-ins," everything seemed effortless. This being her fourth participation in the Major, she not only posted one of the best scores of the day but also her career-best at Évian, a 64(-7) that places her at the top. She wasn't alone in mastering The Champions Course; Ingrid Lindblad and Gemma Dryburgh did the same.

Lindblad, who turned professional earlier this year, made her debut at The Amundi Evian Championship. Having only made two cuts in the seven Majors she played, she decorated her first official round at Évian with seven birdies, ending her round with a 64(-7) free of bogeys, just like Gemma Dryburgh. The Scottish player has been steadily progressing since joining the LPGA Tour in 2018. She even participated in (and won) her first Solheim Cup last year. This straightforward course puts her among the three women leading a Major tonight, despite not making the cut in her last four tournaments. Golf, indeed, always surprises.

Lydia Ko, Hyo Joo Kim, and Ayaka Furue in Contention 

Our three leaders won't have the luxury of resting on their laurels, as they are closely followed by several experienced players. New Zealander Lydia Ko, for example, is no stranger to The Champions Course. The 2015 winner has played over ten competitions here, both as an amateur and a professional. Paired with Lilia Vu (USA) and Charley Hull (ENG) for the first two rounds, she quickly warmed up with three birdies in her first four holes. A first nine of -4 followed by a second nine of -2 placed her on the podium, with her 65 of the day putting her in second place. This score of -6 is also shared by Hyo Joo Kim and Ayaka Furue.

The ever-consistent Hyo Joo Kim, who we have seen calmly deploying her golf at Évian year after year, is once again in the mix. Will the 44th Major of her career make her a Major winner again (after The Amundi Evian Championship in 2014)? With a magnificent 65(-6) in her first round, free of bogeys, she's on the right path. The same goes for Ayaka Furue, who shares her first 36 holes with the South Korean. With eight top-10 finishes this season and no missed cuts, the world's 21st-ranked player is in great form this year and has once again delivered. After a front nine of -1, she turned up the heat on the back nine with five additional birdies, finishing with a 65(-6), an ideal start to her week.

Nelly Seeks Korda, Boutier in Control

Touted as one of the main contenders for the final victory - rightly so, as she is the world number one and winner of six trophies this season - Nelly Korda had a mixed first round. Despite making six birdies, she faltered at times, such as a missed bunker shot at the edge of the 16th green that resulted in a double bogey, distancing her from the leaders. Nonetheless, her opening 69(-2) places her five strokes behind the leaders.

The other major favorite this week is, of course, the French defending champion Céline Boutier. Her much-anticipated return to Évian had French golf enthusiasts hoping for another stellar performance. They were not disappointed. The world number 6 appeared very composed on a course she considers more challenging than last year, yet she managed to record a solid 69(-2). Spectacular birdies like the long putt on the 11th and precise shots on the 2nd and 15th delighted the supportive crowd. She stands in 20th place.

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