Ten years ago, the Amundi Evian Championship transitioned from its longtime role as a beloved stop on the LPGA and LET schedule to its current stature as a major championship. And while it may be the youngest of the women’s five majors, the championship has produced some of the most thrilling, and record-setting moments over the last decade in women’s golf. In celebration of 132 of the world’s best players making a return to Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France for the 10th edition of the major championship, here is a look back at some of the milestones that have come to define the Amundi Evian Championship.
Suzann Pettersen Wins First Edition as a Major
Six years after winning her first major championship, Suzann Pettersen held off a rising star in then amateur Lydia Ko to win the Amundi Evian Championship. It was the first time the event was staged as a major championship and marked the first major in women’s golf to be held in continental Europe. Ko, then just 16 years old, came up short of her bid to become the youngest major champion and settled for a second-place finish.
Hyo Joo Kim Makes Major History
In her debut major, Hyo Joo Kim opened with a 10-under, 61 at Evian Resort Golf Club. Kim never looked back as she added rounds of 72-72-68 to wrap up her maiden major title and earn Membership on the LPGA Tour. Her opening round of 61 remains the lowest score recorded by a male or female in major championship history.
In Gee Chun Goes Record Low
Already a major winner at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open, In Gee Chun wasted no time adding another major to her resume, winning the Amundi Evian Championship the very next season. It was there that Chun finished at 21-under with rounds of 63-66-65-69 to set the record for the lowest winning total in the history of major championships.
Lydia Ko Gets Another Major Milestone
Just two years after her bid to become the youngest major champion in women’s golf came up short in France, Lydia Ko accomplished the feat with her victory in 2015. At the age of 18 years, 4 months, and 10 days she eclipsed the record previously held by Morgan Pressel to become the youngest player to win a major title. Ko won by six strokes over Lexi Thompson for her first major victory.
Jin Young Ko Bookends Season with Major Titles
In 2019, when Jin Young Ko arrived in Evian-les-Bains for what was then scheduled as the final major of the season, she had a chance to do something that hadn’t been done since 2015: capture two majors in a single season. The last to do so was Inbee Park in 2015. Ko had won the first major of the year at The Chevron Championship and went on to win the final major of the season at Evian Resort Golf Club to match Park’s record. Ko remains the last player to win two majors on the LPGA Tour in a single season.
Minjee Lee Makes Major Come-from-behind Run
Long considered one of the best players who had yet to win a major, much was expected from Minjee Lee when she arrived at the Amundi Evian Championship in 2021. In a bid to win her first major title, she proved there was no hurdle too big to clear, carding a final-round 64 to overcome a seven-stroke deficit on the final day and force a playoff with Jeongeun Lee6. Lee’s come-from-behind victory matched the record for the largest come-from-behind win in a major championship.
Angela Stanford Gets Elusive Major Title
In her 76th major championship start, Angela Stanford captured her maiden major title at the Amundi Evian Championship in 2018. Stanford became the second-oldest player to win a major with the victory at the age of 40 years and 11 months.
Mother Nature is No Match for Anna Nordqvist
Before the Amundi Evian Championship was moved to its current spot on the schedule in July, the championship had been staged for several years during the month of September which led to some questionable weather. In 2017, scores for the first round of the championship were cancelled due to a weather suspension, and the championship was reduced to 54 holes. Weather once more threatened the final round in which Anna Nordqvist went on to win in a torrential downpour and hailstorm after defeating Brittany Altomare on the first playoff hole to capture her second major title.
Major Wait Ends for Brooke Henderson
Six years came between Brooke Henderson’s first and second major victories on the LPGA Tour. But in 2022, at the Amundi Evian Championship, the Canadian made her much-anticipated return to the major winner’s circle with a thrilling birdie on the 72nd hole. With her victory, Henderson became the first player to win with back-to-back rounds of 64 over the course of the championship.
