Amundi Evian Championship...Tournament History

Started in 1994, Elevated to Major Status in 2013
Kim Hyojoo's Course Record, Jeon Inji's Lowest Score
Lydia Ko Youngest, Stanford Oldest Champion

This year, the Amundi Evian Championship, a major tournament on the LPGA Tour, began on July 10 (local time) at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, a resort town in southeastern France.

Since 2021, Amundi, the largest asset management company in Europe, has served as the tournament’s title sponsor. The total prize money has been increased to $8 million, with the winner’s share raised to $1.2 million. Since being elevated as the fifth major on the LPGA Tour, the event has produced a variety of historic moments.

In 2016, Inji Jeon won the Amundi Evian Championship with the lowest score record in a major tournament. Photo by Evian Championship

The Amundi Evian Championship was first held in 1994, making this year its 31st edition. Initially, it was part of the Ladies European Tour (LET), and from 2000, it has been co-hosted with the LPGA Tour. In 2013, it was promoted to major status, further enhancing its prestige. The inaugural champion was Suzann Pettersen, the European golf star from Norway.

Korean players have also achieved outstanding results at this tournament. Shin Ji-ae (2010) and Park Inbee (2012) won during the Evian Masters era, before the event became a major, and including them, a total of five Korean players have claimed the title.

In 2014, Kim Hyojoo captured her first major title by shooting a then-course record 61 in the first round. Subsequently, Lee Jeongeun6 (third round, 2021) and Leona Maguire (Ireland, fourth round, same year) also recorded rounds of 61, adding their names to the record books. In 2016, Jeon Inji made a strong impression on golf fans worldwide by setting a major championship record with a total score of 263. She also shares the tournament record for most strokes under par (21-under) with Juli Inkster (USA, 2003).

The last Korean winner was Ko Jin-young in 2019. After capturing her first major title at the ANA Inspiration in April of that year, she went on to win the Evian Championship three months later, securing her second major victory of the season.

Players of Korean descent have also made their mark. In 2015, Lydia Ko (New Zealand) became the youngest major champion in tournament history at age 18. Although the event was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, Minjee Lee (Australia) staged a dramatic come-from-behind victory, showcasing her presence.

The Evian Resort Golf Club, the battleground of the Amundi Evian Championship, is situated in a mountainous terrain. Photo by Evian Championship

There have also been inspiring victories by veterans. In 2018, Angela Stanford (USA) won her first career major at the age of 40, in her 436th tour appearance. Meanwhile, the player with the most victories at this tournament is Helen Alfredsson (Sweden), who won three times?1994, 1998, and 2008?before the event became a major. Annika Sorenstam (Sweden), Ai Miyazato (Japan), and Laura Davies (England) have each recorded two wins, leaving their mark on the tournament’s history.

The course is a par 71, measuring 6,504 yards?not particularly long, but located on hilly terrain overlooking the Alps and Lake Geneva, creating an environment similar to mountainous golf courses in Korea. In 2013, a course renovation increased its difficulty, requiring players to adopt more strategic approaches.