Haeran Ryu clinched back-to-back Major championships after rolling in her birdie putt during the first playoff hole to win the 2026 Amundi Evian Championship.
The Korean star won the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship just two weeks ago and hoisted another trophy at Evian Resort Golf Club after defeating Canada’s Brooke Henderson in the playoff.
South Africa’s Casandra Alexander finished with a birdie to share 10th.
After a superb Saturday 63 Alexander, the LET Order of Merit leader struggled in round four and was +3 through 12 holes.
To her credit, she battled back with three birdies to finish level for the day.
It was a special moment for Ryu, who won the Amundi Evian Juniors Cup in 2015, at the same golf course.
“This is just a dream right now because before the three weeks I don’t have a Major championship, but now two in a row. I’m so happy and I can’t believe it right now,” said Ryu.
“I have such good memories from when I was 14 years old, I got a win with my friends and Team Korea. I always hope to get a Major win at the Evian Championship because I have a good memory and this course is so beautiful.”
Ryu began the day with a three-stroke lead after firing the lowest round in Major history on Saturday with a 60 (-11).
The 25-year-old shot a round of even par just dropping a shot on the eighth hole, but she rolled in a clutch birdie putt on the 18th to put herself on 19-under-par and into the playoff.
After heading back down to 18 for the playoff against Henderson, Ryu found the fairway and then was on the green in two and rolled in her four-foot birdie putt to secure the title.
“It was so tough today because my putt always missed the cup, so I’m just making one birdie on the last hole. Thanks God because every putt I missed, but only [my] last putt on the playoff I made it,” she explained.
“We went to the playoff and then I was just doing same as just normal shot, normal 18 with my play because I got a birdie. I have great memory on hole 18 this week, so that’s why I have a little more confidence at the playoff.
“I know how important that putt is, so that’s why I’m so nervous over that putt. I made it and then I almost a little bit celebrated. I’m so happy on the last two birdies.
“It’s an unreal dream right now. A lot of great names are on the trophy and I’m so happy my name is on there. I’ve had a lot of texts and congrats text and now my phone is a lot. Thanks to all my friends and team and sponsors. I’m a lucky girl.”
Canada’s Henderson had a spectacular weekend carding consecutive rounds of 64 (-7) to finish on 19-under-par and put herself in the playoff.
The 2022 Amundi Evian champion had three eagles on her scorecard including an ace on the par-3 eighth hole.
Henderson rolled in birdies on 15 and 16 before a dropped shot on 17, but hit an excellent approach shot on 18 and sunk an eagle putt to join Ryu in the playoff.
On the first playoff hole, the Canadian pulled her tee shot left and then had to layup rolling in her par putt to just miss out another Major title.
“I played awesome today, which is really exciting. To finish second in a Major and third a couple of weeks ago, my game is in a really good spot,” said Henderson.
“It was very exciting to get into the playoff. I wish I had played a little bit better, but Haeran has been playing great. Congrats to her. I am happy with how I played, lots of birdies and eagles.
“I feel like my game is in a really good spot, which is really exciting and something to look forward to. Coming into AIG Women’s Open, I haven’t played that well there in the past, so hopefully this year will be a different story.”
Japan’s Aki Iwai finished in solo third place after a final round of 69 (-2) which included five birdies, a bogey and a double bogey in France.
“I’m so happy because I was able to play in front of a lot of spectators. I honestly want everyone to know me, and I also had a solid day today,” said Iwai. “I definitely got confidence [from this week]. You win some, you lose some. It was a good experience for AIG Women’s Open.”
Japanese duo Miyu Yamashita and Mao Saigo ended the week in a share of fourth place alongside Korea’s Jin Hee Im on 15-under-par.
Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko tied for seventh spot on 13-under-par, after rounds of 66 (-5) and 64 (-7) respectively.
American Auston Kim was ninth with Sweden’s Maja Stark, Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, South Africa’s Casandra Alexander and Korea’s Somi Lee all T10.
In the LET Order of Merit, Alexander extended her advantage at the top of the rankings and now has 1,895.78 points to her name.
The LET has a one-week break before the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open staged at Dundonald Links from July 23 – 26.
Article Link: Ryu-peats Major triumph, Alexander ends 10th