Aki Iwai leads and Nelly Korda struggles in first round at Evian women's major

Aki Iwai delivered a commanding performance in the opening round of the Evian Championship, securing a two-stroke lead after shooting an impressive 8-under 63. The tournament marks the fourth women’s golf major of the season and took place at the Evian Resort Golf Club, a venue that recently hosted the G7 summit of world leaders. Iwai, ranked 24th in the world, showcased exceptional form throughout the course, recording eight birdies while avoiding any dropped shots. Her strong finish saw her make birdies on three of the final four holes, culminating with a successful birdie on the challenging par-5 18th hole. Iwai’s dominance was matched by Perrine Delacour, who finished second in the group with a score of 6-under 65. Delacour’s round included an eagle at the par-5 15th hole, though she encountered some difficulties near the end of her round, finishing with two bogeys. Several other players also performed well, posting scores of 5-under 66. Among them was Haeran Ryu, the recent winner of the Women’s PGA Championship, and Charley Hull, the world No. 5 golfer who attended the tournament as a guest in the Royal Box at Wimbledon earlier in the week. Hull faced challenges during her round, beginning with two early bogeys but managed to recover strongly, playing the final nine holes in 31 strokes, highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 18th hole. Other notable players achieving 5-under 66 included Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, and Jin Hee Im. In contrast, top-ranked Nelly Korda, who had previously claimed victories in the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, struggled significantly in her opening round. Korda posted a score of 3-over 74, placing her 11 shots behind Iwai. Her difficulties began early in the round, where she recorded a double bogey six on the first hole, which marked her tenth hole of the day. Korda’s performance was notably below her usual standards, indicating potential challenges ahead in the tournament. Celine Boutier, the reigning champion from the previous year, faced even greater obstacles during her round. Starting with a triple bogey seven on the first hole, Boutier continued to struggle, recording consecutive double bogeys on holes 10 and 11. Despite these setbacks, she managed to salvage some points with a birdie on the 18th hole, ultimately finishing with a score of 5-over 76. Boutier’s performance highlights the unpredictable nature of the course and the high level of competition present at the Evian Championship. The Evian Championship holds significant importance in the world of women’s golf, having become the fifth women’s major since its inception in 2013. With a substantial prize money fund of $9.1 million, the tournament attracts elite players from around the globe, offering both prestige and financial incentives. As the competition progresses, attention will shift to how the leading players manage their positions and whether any of the struggling top contenders can rebound in subsequent rounds. The tournament promises to deliver thrilling moments and intense rivalries, setting the stage for an exciting week of golf at the Evian Resort Golf Club.