LPGA TOUR

The Amundi Evian Championship

Celine Boutier Wins Major Title On Home Soil

Celine Boutier gave local fans huge cause for celebration after winning the Amundi Evian Championship in France. The 29-year-old becomes the first French winner of the coveted event staged at the picturesque Evian Resort Golf Club. It was Boutier’s maiden major victory and fourth LPGA Tour title. Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou and Minjee Lee finished inside the top 20.

Boutier fired rounds of 66, 69, 67 and 68 to reach 14-under. The world No. 15 scored an impressive six-shot win over Canada’s Brooke Henderson. Boutier, the only player to card all four rounds in the 60s, began the final round holding a three-shot lead over Japan’s Nasa Hataoka. The former world No. 1 ranked amateur golfer took a healthy five-shot lead into the back nine and was never challenged during the home stretch and victory. Boutier becomes the fourth first-time major winner this season, joining Lilia Vu (The Chevron Championship), Ruoning Yin (Women’s PGA Championship) and Allison Corpuz (US Women’s Open). The Duke University graduate is the third female golfer from France to collect a major title after Patricia Meunier-Lebouc (2003 Chevron Championship) and Catherine LeCoste (1967 US Women’s Open).

Henderson returned a 1-under 70 on Sunday to reach 8-under and claim solo second place. The 25-year-old, who owns two major titles, was looking to defend the title she gained in 2022. 

Five players took a share of third place at 7-under. They were Norway’s Celine Borge, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, Korea’s A Lim Kim and Japanese pair Yuka Saso and Nasa Hataoka.

Stephanie Kyriacou and Minjee Lee were the best-placed Australians. The pair finished at 3-under and in a tie for 16th place. Kyriacou, aged 22 from Sydney, posted a superb 3-under final round. Lee, a two-time major champion from Perth, carded a 4-over 75 to fall out of contention.

The LPGA Tour moves to the UK for next week’s Women’s Scottish Open to be staged at Dundonald Links. Japan’s Ayaka Furue is the defending champion.

Results
The Amundi Evian Championship

1. Celine Boutier -14
2. Brooke Henderson -8
T3. Celine Borge -7
T3. Gaby Lopez -7
T3. A Lim Kim -7
T3. Yuka Saso -7
T3. Nasa Hataoka -7
8. Gemma Dryburgh -6

Australians
T16. Stephanie Kyriacou -3
T16. Minjee Lee -3 
T28. Sarah Kemp -1
T61. Karis Davidson +6
MC. Hannah Green
MC. Grace Kim

 

Image credit: Stuart Franklin/Getty Image