Kim Prevails in Thrilling Playoff at Evian Championship
Australian battles doubts and water hazard to produce one of the most dramatic finishes of the season
Las Vegas - Grace Kim delivered a performance of resilience and brilliance to capture her first major championship at The Amundi Evian Championship, overcoming Jeeno Thitikul in a dramatic playoff at the Evian Resort Golf Club. The Australian, who began the final round tied for third, closed with a composed four-under-par 67, then sealed her victory with a stunning eagle putt at the second extra hole.
Earlier, Thitikul appeared poised to claim the title herself after a bogey-free 67 and two front-nine birdies. But Kim’s eagle at the 72nd hole forced the pair into a sudden-death playoff. In the first playoff hole, Kim found the water but responded with a remarkable chip-in birdie — a shot she called “great” and “probably something I couldn’t do again.” Reflecting on her achievement, Kim said: “Obviously it's a huge achievement for me. I've had a lot of doubts early this year and I was kind of losing motivation. So to be sitting here next to this trophy is definitely surreal.”
Thitikul, the world No. 2 and five-time LET winner, graciously accepted her solo runner-up finish. “I think I'm so proud of myself on battling out there today. I know it was always going to be a tough day, and a long day,” she said. “Every moment out there today were great moments — even when I make some or I miss some — that’s all I can do.”
Lottie Woad, the amateur world No. 1 from England, thrilled with a final-round charge to tie for third alongside Minjee Lee, finishing just a shot behind the leaders. Fresh from her LET breakthrough at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, Woad’s third-place secured her 20 points in the LEAP programme, opening the door to LPGA membership. “It’s been really fun this week,” she said. “I knew starting the day I was only like five off, so I needed to get off to a quick start which I did, and then it was really fun after that.”
Angel Yin and Andrea Lee shared fifth on 12-under, while Ariya Jutanugarn and Leona Maguire tied for seventh. Cara Gainer, the overnight leader on her Evian debut, slipped to a tie for 14th, and South Africa’s Casandra Alexander, two off the lead at the start of Sunday, finished 20th.
The LET Order of Merit remains led by England’s Mimi Rhodes on 1,631.88 points, ahead of Czechia’s Sara Kouskova and Singapore’s Shannon Tan. The Tour resumes in Scotland for the ISPS HANDA Scottish Open at Dundonald Links from 24–27 July. Follow @LETgolf for full coverage.