Nelly Korda arrives at the Amundi Evian Championship one victory away from a place in the LPGA Hall of Fame, as the LET’s fourth major of the season gets under way at Evian Resort Golf Club from Thursday.
Korda has held world No. 1 for at least a week in each of the last six years, and this week she carries 25 of the 27 points required for Hall of Fame induction. A win at Evian would complete the total and make her the first player inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024.
Her 2026 season has been the most dominant of her career: four wins from ten starts, including two majors — The Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open — with nine top-10 finishes. She opened the year with six consecutive finishes of T2 or better. Career figures now stand at 19 wins, four majors and $21.8 million in earnings, making her the highest-earning American in LPGA Tour history.
Evian itself has been a modest venue for her by comparison — a best finish of T8 in 2022 from eight previous starts — but she has missed the cut there only once, back in 2017.
Defending Champion: Kim Returns to Rewrite New Memories
Grace Kim is back to defend the title she won in dramatic fashion last year, beating Jeeno Thitikul with an eagle on the second play-off hole. Speaking at her pre-tournament press conference, Kim described the build-up as surreal, admitting she still hasn’t quite processed everything that’s followed the win — from a permanent plaque now marking her chip-in on the 18th to being recognised back home in Australia far more often.
Course changes have added two new bunkers to the 18th fairway, which she says have tightened the hole considerably compared to last year.
On her form heading into the defence, Kim called her game solid overall, saying she’s focused on cutting out soft bogeys and three-putts rather than chasing last year’s magic again.
Her 2026 season has been quieter by contrast — nine cuts made from ten starts but only one top-10, a T7 at the Meijer LPGA Classic.
The Challenger: Thitikul’s Search for a First Major
Thitikul returns as world No. 2 still chasing an elusive first major title after finishing runner-up to Kim 12 months ago. It is her seventh appearance at Evian and her best finish anywhere at a major.
She already holds the record for most career victories without a major among current LPGA members — nine wins in total, including two already this season at the Honda LPGA Thailand and a defence of her Mizuho Americas Open title.
GB&I and European Interest
Charley Hull leads the Solheim Cup qualification race on points, with Lottie Woad third via the Rolex Rankings — both carrying home hopes into the week. Celine Boutier, the 2023 champion, headlines a five-strong French contingent alongside Perrine Delacour, Agathe Laisné, Nastasia Nadaud and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard. Maja Stark sits fourth in the Solheim standings, with Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit also inside the automatic qualification places.
The Amateurs and the LEAP Pathway
Kiara Romero arrives one made cut away from securing full LPGA Tour status. The Oregon All-American sits on 19 LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway points, with a made cut this week taking her to the 20 required for eligibility — following in the footsteps of Lottie Woad, who earned her card the same way as low amateur at last year’s Evian.
Maria Jose Marin, the reigning Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion, and Farah O’Keefe are also within reach of LEAP milestones, while Marin and Yunseo Yang tee it up on champion exemptions after their respective amateur wins this year.
Major Status and Prize Money
This is the 32nd playing of the event since its 1994 inception and the 13th since its elevation to major status in 2013. The championship carries a $9.10 million purse, with $1,365,000 going to the winner. The field of 132 will be cut to the top 65 and ties after 36 holes, playing to a par of 71 over 6,479 yards.
Nine past champions are in the field, though no player has won the event more than once since it became a major — Ai Miyazato remains the last multiple winner, from the event’s pre-major years in 2009 and 2011.
How to Watch in the UK
Live on Sky Sports throughout the week.
Thursday: Sky Sports+, from 11am
Friday: Sky Sports+, from 11am
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf, from 9am
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf, from 9am
All times BST.
How to Watch in the US – Coverage begins Thursday from 6-11 a.m. ET on Golf Channel and continues from 11 a.m. ET until 12 p.m. ET on Golf Channel mobile.
For Round 1 Tee-Times – https://amundi.evianchampionship.com/tee-time
