Korea’s Haeran Ryu was on blistering form on day three of the Amundi Evian Championship firing a course record 60 (-11) to surge into a three-stroke lead at the 54-hole mark in France.
Ryu won the third Major of the year – the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship – just two weeks ago and is in pole position to claim back-to-back Major titles.
The 25-year-old made her first birdie on the day on the second hole, her next came on the fifth, which she nearly aced, and then she holed out for eagle on the sixth.
Ryu made birdies on the seventh and ninth hole to make the turn in -6 and added another on 10 before back-to-back birdies on 14 and 15.
With 59 watch on, the Major winner rolled in another birdie on the 17th and all eyes turned to 18 where she left her eagle putt just short for a tap-in birdie to seal a round of 60 (-11) – the lowest in Major history.
Ryu also equalled the 54-hole scoring record of 194 (-19) set by In Gee Chun in 2016 and sits at the top of the leaderboard on 19-under-par.
“I didn’t know [about my score]. I just hit, so I didn’t know on hole 18, but after the putt I counted my score with my caddie and said oh my god, it’s 11-under-par today. It was so amazing. I’m so happy right now,” said Ryu.
“That hole [number six] is a little tricky to all players because it’s narrow and the green is a little hilly, so I wanted to make par on that hole. I hit a hybrid on the tee shot and a pretty good shot. The second shot was 141 metres and I hit 7-iron, thought it was pretty good and then it went in. I was happy and surprised.
“When we first started this tournament in the press conference, I said my goal is just to play on the weekend. It feels like a dream again, so I just hopefully play well tomorrow too.
“My plan is so different winning the Major because I really wanted to be the Major champion, but before I get that one it was so stressful. After I got the win, my patience is more down and I can enjoy golf more right now.”
Japan’s Aki Iwai sits three shots back in solo second place on 16-under-par after a round of 65 (-6) which included eight birdies and two bogeys.
“I had a solid day, I had many birdie chances today. It was really fun and I played with Haeran and she was on fire. She is a good inspiration,” said Iwai. “Last year, I missed the cut and I wanted revenge, so I’m really optimistic going into tomorrow.”
Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Japan’s Mao Saigo share third place on 12-under-par after rounds of 64 (-7) and 67 (-4), respectively.
Henderson, who won the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship, had a colourful scorecard with two eagles, six birdies and three bogeys.
“It was definitely a bonus to be able to chip in on two par-5s today with two eagles,” said Henderson. “That definitely helps out the scorecard a lot, and momentum too. On both of them, I was in pretty good spots, and so to see them go in is definitely very exciting. The par-5s are pretty key here, so hopefully have a good day on them tomorrow.
“I was trying to be assertive where I could. I knew the leaders were playing very well, and they’re still playing very well. There’s still a lot of ground to make up, but definitely happy to climb the leaderboard as much as I did today, and just hoping to do something similar tomorrow.
“It’s very exciting to be back in a good position near the top of the leaderboard. I know there is a lot of ground and work to do, which is kind of exciting. I can just go out and try to be assertive, try to make lots of birdies, and see what happens.”
South Africa’s Casandra Alexander surged up to outright fifth place on -11 at Evian Resort Golf Club after a round of 63 (-8).
The LET Order of Merit leader rolled in birdies on the second, fourth, seventh, ninth and 10th holes before four birdies on the trot between holes 13 and 16, and a dropped shot on 17.
“It was good,” said Alexander. “Besides for that bogey on 17, I would say it was a pretty good day. Putter was on fire. Every putt I looked at looked like it was going in. I’m pretty chuffed. Hopefully, the same tomorrow.
“I actually didn’t have a look at the leaderboard at all. I didn’t know where I was or what I was doing. I was just trying to play the best I could. It was a bit of a terrible tee shot; missed it on the wrong side on 17. Then on 18 the same thing.
“So, two silly mistakes and it wasn’t the only ones I made today. I just recovered really well. I made a lot of up and downs from certain places. I wouldn’t say it was nervy at all. They were just misses.
“Hopefully, I can play well tomorrow and make the charge. I didn’t have the greatest first day. To be in the position I’m in after my first day is pretty good. Let’s see what Sunday can hold.”
Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita and England’s Lottie Woad are in a tie for sixth place on 10-under-par with Korea’s Jin Hee Im in solo ninth.
Four players round out the top 10 with England’s Cara Gainer, American Auston Kim, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and Japan’s Hinako Shibuno all on eight-under.
Round four will begin at 8.40 am (local time) with the leading group teeing off at 10.40 am at Evian Resort Golf Club.
Keep up with all the action on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #EvianChamp
