LPGA TOUR
Ayaka Furue Wins Maiden Major At The Evian Championship. Aussie Stephanie Kyriacou Runner Up
Ayaka Furue produced a clutch eagle at the 72nd hole to claim her first major title winning the Amundi Evian Championship by one shot. Furue, aged 24, scored her stunning victory by the narrow margin over Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou at the 30th anniversary of the event staged at Evian Resort Golf Club, France. Furue’s win is the fourth major title for Japan in LPGA Tour history. The two-time LPGA Tour winner is the second player from Japan to capture a major this year after Yuka Saso won the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club. It was Furue’s first win on the LPGA Tour since claiming the 2022 Women’s Scottish Open.
Furue scored rounds of 65, 65, 70 and 65 to reach 19-under. Her brilliant 6-under final round featured three birdies and one eagle over the closing five holes.
Kyriacou from Sydney was searching for her first major title and breakthrough success on the LPGA Tour. The 23-year-old stood tall on the final day carding a superb 4-under 67 to get to 18-under for solo second place. Kyriacou, who owns two Ladies European Tour titles, jumped 51 places to 34th spot on the LPGA Tour’s Race to CME Globe.
Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit took outright third place at 17-under after matching the low round for the week with an impressive 8-under 63 on Sunday.
The LPGA Tour moves to Ohio for next week’s Dana Open to be staged at Highland Meadows Golf Club. Sweden’s Linn Grant is the defending champion.
Final Scores
1. Ayaka Furue -19
2. Stephanie Kyriacou -18
3. Patty Tavatanakit -17
4. Lauren Coughlin -15
5. Haeran Ryu -13
Other Australians
T44. Hannah Green -2
T49. Minjee Lee -1
T51. Grace Kim E
T55. Gabriela Ruffels +3
MC. Sarah Kemp
MC. Hira Naveed
