Amundi Evian Championship
Overview
The Amundi Evian Championship is an LPGA Tour major championship held annually in July at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, France. Established in 1994 and promoted to the fifth major championship of the LPGA Tour in 2013, it is the only women's golf major held in Europe, attracting world-class players in terms of prize money and prestige. The tournament name was changed in 2021 following an agreement between the French water brand Amundi and Evian.
Main Content
History and Background
Originally starting as the French Women's Open (Evian Masters) in 1994, the tournament was initially a European Tour event but was elevated to a co-sanctioned LPGA Tour event in 2000. In 2011, the LPGA decided to promote it to a major, and it was officially recognized as a major championship from 2013. This holds symbolic significance as the first major championship on the European continent in women's golf. The tournament is held on the Championship Course (par 71, 6,523 yards) at the Evian Resort, renowned for its scenic backdrop of Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Tournament Format
It is a 72-hole stroke play event, with a cut after 36 holes to the top 65 players (including ties). As of 2024, the total prize money is $8 million (approximately 110 billion KRW), placing it among the top LPGA majors. The winner receives $1.2 million (approximately 16 billion KRW), along with LPGA Hall of Fame points and world ranking points.
Key Records and Winners
- Most Wins: Lorena Ochoa (Mexico) holds the record with three wins in 2004, 2005, and 2007.
- Youngest Winner: Lydia Ko (New Zealand) won in 2015 at age 18 years and 4 months, setting a major record for youngest winner.
- Korean Player Achievements: In 2013, Kim Hyo-joo (then an amateur) won, setting a record for the youngest amateur winner in a major. Subsequent Korean winners include Jeon In-gee (2016), Kim Sei-young (2021), and Ko Jin-young (2023).
- 2024 Winner: Ayaka Furue of Japan won in a playoff, becoming the first Japanese player to win the tournament.
Course Features
The Evian Resort Golf Club is a historic course opened in 1904, extensively remodeled by Steve Smith ahead of its major promotion in 2013. The par-5 18th hole, adjacent to Lake Geneva, is heavily influenced by lake winds, requiring strategic shot-making. The course features narrow fairways and firm greens, making precise iron shots and putting key to victory.
Recent Trends
The 2024 tournament highlighted the rise of Japanese golf with Ayaka Furue's victory, and the 2025 tournament is scheduled for July 10-13. The LPGA Tour announced plans to increase prize money to $9 million starting in 2025, as part of the movement for prize equality in women's golf. Additionally, climate change has posed challenges for course management; in 2024, a heatwave disrupted green speed control. The tournament organizing committee has set carbon neutrality goals for sustainable operations, planning to introduce electric carts and expand the use of recyclable containers from 2025. Korean players performed well in 2024, with Ko Jin-young (tied for 3rd) and Kim Hyo-joo (tied for 8th), but failed to win; in 2025, players like Yang Hee-young and Yoo Hae-ran are expected to challenge.
Related Topics
- [[LPGA Tour]]
- [[Women's Golf Major Championships]]
- [[Évian-les-Bains]]
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