Cara Gainer opened the 2026 Amundi Evian Championship with a bogey-free round of 67 (-4) in France.
The English player has great memories at Evian Resort Golf Club having finished T3 at the Jabra Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour (LET) in 2025.
Additionally, Gainer was the co-leader at the 54-hole mark at the Amundi Evian Championship in 2025.
Though she went on to finish in a share of 14th place, the LET winner was pleased to be back and performing well again in Evian.
“I was pretty nervous teeing it up today,” she said. “It was probably the most nervous I’ve been since teeing up here last year. It was a tricky final round I had and I really wanted to start well and get rid of those not bad emotions I had in the final round, but really kind of start positively and hit some quality shots. I did that.
“I really enjoy coming back here. It’s just such a great atmosphere and so great to see so many people out this morning and this afternoon. I played well, I played just very solidly. Nothing crazy.
“I kept it in play which is obviously the most important thing at this golf course. You know, got up and down when I needed to and holed a couple birdie putts when I needed to as well.”
Gainer has been struggling with a wrist injury in recent weeks and took some time off in June ahead of the Major summer.
However, she did play in the Jabra Ladies Open de France here in May where she finished in T18.
She explained: “It’s a great warmup for us girls on the LET. I had a bit of a wrist injury at the time, so it was a bit of a struggle that tournament, but I’ve recently got that sorted and feeling much more healthy now and sort of pain-free. Feel like I can really commit to some of those slopes we have got on these fairways.
“I really enjoy this golf course. It really suits my game. You’ve got to be accurate. You’ve got to hit your driver and good approach. It’s playing slightly easier than last year.
“It was playing quite soft, so maybe I don’t need to be quite as spot-on on the greens as maybe you usually do. That suits me as well so I’m just going to take it how it comes and just try and enjoy it as best I can.”
The English star has plenty of support alongside her this week with her husband, dad, mum and sister all walking the fairways.
She added: “My mum and sister flew in this morning, so that was nice to see them. They caught up on like the second hole, so they managed to walk round 18 holes today in this heat. It’s great to have everyone’s support. It’s such a beautiful place to come so they really love coming here just for the views and the food.
“I tried not to put any expectations on myself really, especially coming out of an injury. I had four weeks off not playing at all. I played last week in Belgium and definitely was really rusty, so it’s good to see that it’s coming back, especially my tee shots.
“I know that I enjoy the golf course, and I feel really sharp with my short game, putting, and chipping, so if I can just get my tee shots away. I did that today, so hopefully I can build on that the next few days and really take it day-by-day to be honest.”
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