Maguire’s ace and strong showings from Aussies highlight a competitive opening round in France
The opening day of the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship ended with a crowded leaderboard, as five players—Leona Maguire, Jennifer Kupcho, Andrea Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, and Grace Kim—each posted a six-under-par 65 at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France.
Ireland’s Leona Maguire got her tournament off to a memorable start with a hole-in-one on the par-3 second hole. Using an 8-iron, she aced the shot en route to a round that included five birdies and just one bogey.
“I just played really solid golf,” said Maguire, who competes on both the LPGA and LET. “The hole-in-one on two was definitely a special moment… It was sort of a perfect morning for it.”
Maguire praised the course conditions and stressed the need for patience, noting that even well-hit shots can lead to unpredictable results.
Andrea Lee and Jennifer Kupcho Lead U.S. Charge
America’s Andrea Lee also impressed, carding seven birdies to match Maguire’s 65. Lee described her round as “super solid,” crediting accurate iron play and a reliable short game.
“I made quite a few putts… played the par-5s really well,” said Lee, who is enjoying a consistent stretch on tour and looking forward to a family trip to Paris after this week.
Jennifer Kupcho surged into the co-lead with a strong finish—capping her round with a birdie and eagle after starting on the back nine. “I started off a little bit rocky,” Kupcho admitted, but said her ball striking helped her recover and finish strong.
Australian Contingent Dominates Early
Australia made a strong showing, with Gabriela Ruffels and Grace Kim also tied at the top. Ruffels posted a bogey-free round featuring six birdies, crediting sharp ball striking and a recent break that included a trip to Wimbledon.
Grace Kim matched her fellow Aussie with a clean card that included seven birdies. “I didn’t really do much wrong,” she said, highlighting her dependable short game. Kim also shared a humorous moment, playing most of her round with a broken zipper after a quick bathroom stop at the seventh.
Minjee Lee, another Australian and recent major winner, is just one shot behind at five-under-par. Lee returns to Evian for the first time since her 2021 win and is continuing a strong season following her KPMG Women’s PGA Championship victory.
Other Notables and Round Two Outlook
Nine players sit just two shots back at four-under, including Nelly Korda, Ayaka Furue, and Aditi Ashok. World number one amateur Lottie Woad opened with a three-under-par round, while England’s Charley Hull was forced to withdraw midway through her opening round due to illness. After completing 12 holes, Hull stepped away from the competition, marking an early exit from a tournament where she had been considered one of the players to watch.
Fans can follow the action on the Ladies European Tour’s social platforms and YouTube channel.
