Grace Kim Grabs Golfing Glory – Final Round Recap

In the heart of one of golf’s most picturesque settings, The Amundi Evian Championship crowned its brightest bloom. On Sunday, July 13, 2025, Grace Kim captured the first Major title of her career at just 24 years old—a triumph nurtured slowly, patiently, and petal by petal. From a fiery rookie who turned professional in 2021, the Australian has matured into a world-class competitor, enduring the game’s capricious challenges without ever losing sight of her growth. After thirteen Major starts, she finally joins the exclusive circle of Major champions.

Following Ayaka Furue’s dazzling final sprint in 2024 and Céline Boutier’s home-soil heroics the year before, the question loomed: what kind of dramatic finish would 2025 deliver? Grace Kim and Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul provided a thrilling answer. In a sensational showdown to close the 31st edition of the tournament, the duo went head-to-head in a playoff after Kim’s spectacular eagle on the 18th.

The first playoff hole saw no winner, but delivered no shortage of drama. Both players faltered—Kim finding the water with her second shot—but fate had more in store. After a drop and a penalty, Kim holed a miraculous chip, forcing Thitikul into a clutch up-and-down just to stay alive. The Thai star delivered under pressure, and the duel continued.

Back to the 18th tee they went. Two booming drives found the fairway. This time, Kim was clinical—her approach nestled within a few meters of the pin. Thitikul’s second found the left rough. The end came swiftly. Kim’s birdie putt dropped, sealing one of the most emotional wins of her life. In doing so, she became the first player outside the world’s top 50 to win at Évian since it became a Major. Truly exceptional.

Jeeno Thitikul Left It All on the Line
The Thai sensation showed immense poise and heart, coming agonizingly close to her own first Major. Her bogey-free 67 (-4), featuring four birdies, looked like a winning score as she overtook clubhouse leader Lottie Woad at -13. But destiny had different plans—and a playoff heartbreak would follow.

Lottie Woad (a): Knocking on History’s Door
At just 21, Lottie Woad took on the world’s best with fearless resolve. Fueled by pure adrenaline, the World No. 1 amateur nearly pulled off one of the greatest feats in women’s golf history, finishing runner-up in her very first Major. She led the entire field in birdies with 24 and walked away, smiling despite the sting, with the silver medal for low amateur. More importantly, Woad secured her LPGA Tour membership through a new exemption program—becoming the first to do so. Her name is now etched in the game’s annals, and her journey has only just begun.

Minjee Lee Comes Close to a Second Evian Title
Still in contention late on Sunday, World No. 6 Minjee Lee was poised for a second Évian crown. With her revamped putter scorching hot all week, it was ironically a few stumbles on the greens that cost her. A costly three-putt bogey on 15, followed by a missed birdie chance on 16, saw her fall just short. A brilliant eagle on 18 gave her a top-three finish—but not the playoff spot she hoped for. It marks her 10th Major podium.

From Nastasia Nadaud’s electric performance on home soil, to stunning scorecards from Ruixin Liu and Yuri Yoshida, and breakout showings by Cara Gainer, Somi Lee, and Gabriela Ruffels, this year’s edition offered yet another timeless spectacle. With Grace Kim now one of 26 champions to have bloomed in this prestigious garden of greatness, one question remains: who will blossom next? We’ll find out next year.