Conditions somewhat deteriorated this Friday, July 12, during the second round of The Amundi Evian Championship 2024. Thunderstorms and rain interrupted play mid-afternoon, leaving 66 players yet to complete their round, while the remaining 64 have already signed their scorecards. Among those, several delivered impressive performances. Yu Jin Sung notched up seven birdies and an eagle for a spectacular 63(-8), defending champion Céline Boutier carded a solid 68(-3), and Ayaka Furue, who will resume her round at the 14th tee, took the lead with a stellar front nine.

Yu Jin Sung and Ayaka Furue Shine Bright

Having won her last tournament of the 2023 season at the S-OIL Championship (Korean LPGA), Sung joined the American tour this year after playing in Asia since 2018. The South Korean made a striking debut at The Amundi Evian Championship, finishing her second round with a 63(-8) following a 72(+1) on Thursday. This card, highlighted by seven birdies and an eagle (on the 7th), is currently the best of the week. Ranked 76th globally, she stands 6th in the Major tonight. Sung had already made waves at the Drive On Championship in late January, finishing 4th in her first tournament of the year on the LPGA Tour.

Later in the day, Ayaka Furue took the spotlight, dazzling the French crowd. The 24-year-old Japanese player continued her excellent form in 2024. Leading in birdies made and rounds played on the LPGA Tour, she appeared unstoppable today. Starting with a superb 30(-5) on the front nine, hitting all nine greens in regulation, her confidence was palpable. Though less successful on the back nine, her exceptional putting saved crucial pars on the 10th and 12th. A final par on the 13th was secured just before the horn sounded, bringing everyone back to the clubhouse. At -12 total, she is currently the sole leader. Let's hope her remaining five holes tomorrow morning maintain this level.

Céline Boutier Holds On; Lindblad, Dryburgh, and Tavatanakit Play Steady

“If I can play as solidly as today, that would help. Sinking a few more putts can always do some good,” Céline Boutier told Canal+ yesterday after signing her opening 69(-2). Unknowingly, she summed up the start of her second round, which followed the pattern of the first. Consistently strong with her irons, she began Friday with a flagstick hit on the 11th, converting it into a birdie. Unfortunately, this putt was followed by several misses. A 3-putt on the 13th, and missed opportunities on the 15th and 17th could have rattled the world No. 6, but she pressed on. Never losing her nerve, Boutier sank three birdies on her last nine holes. She is now at -5 total, seven shots off the lead. Similar scores were posted by 2022 winner Brooke Henderson, who shares a round with 2021 champion Minjee Lee (-3 total).

Winners Patty Tavatanakit, Ingrid Lindblad, and Gemma Dryburgh likely still have ambitions of their own. But our three first-round co-leaders did not find the same success as yesterday. The best among them is the Thai player, ranked 28th in the world, who has three holes left in this second round, sitting at -1 from the 16th tee. Lindblad is one stroke and a round behind at -7 total. Before the interruption, the Swede had a steady second day with two bogeys and two birdies, the last on the 14th—a notable achievement given it was the toughest hole today. One step lower on the leaderboard, Dryburgh had a rough start to her second 18 holes, sitting at +3 after six. She recovered with two birdies on the 8th and 9th before the horn halted her momentum. With a cumulative -6, she still has every chance to climb back up the leaderboard by tomorrow evening.

Nelly Korda Stays Under the Radar, Jin-Young Ko Isn't Done Yet

Nelly Korda plans to be present for the third and fourth rounds, but likely not in the position she hoped for. The American world No. 1 has not ironed out the technical issues that plagued her yesterday morning. Known for her effective putting since teaming up with Eric Dietrich, she has not shown her usual dominance on the greens. Her first 32 holes, alternating between brilliance and minor lapses, illustrate this. With a total of -1—69(-2) yesterday, +1 at the 15th tee today—she stands in 43rd place, on the cusp of her likely 31st Major weekend. One thing is certain: she will keep fighting.

Great champions never give up, and Jin-Young Ko, silent in Majors since 2019, will prove it. The world No. 3, who started with a 69(-2), showed her prowess on Friday with a remarkable 67(-4). Despite more bogeys than yesterday—three compared to two—she recorded seven birdies on her second card of the week. Runner-up at the recent Major, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, she is once again ready to compete fiercely for the title come Sunday.

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