​Haeran Ryu of South Korea claimed her second major title in as many weeks by defeating Brooke Henderson in a playoff at the Evian Championship, describing the victory as feeling like an “unreal dream.” Ryu, who set a sensational course record with an 11-under 60 on Saturday to lead by three shots at 18-under, battled to a 71 on Sunday, with her lone birdie arriving on the 18th hole. Henderson, from Canada, began the final round seven shots back but surged into contention with an extraordinary finish, carding a seven-under 64 that culminated in a dramatic playoff after she eagled the final hole for a third time on the day.
The playoff unfolded on the 18th hole of the Evian Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, eastern France. Henderson drove left off the tee and was forced to lay up, giving Ryu the opportunity to seize the moment. Ryu took full advantage, securing a birdie to win as Henderson could only manage a par. The result left Ryu triumphantly clutching the winner’s trophy and the $1.4 million prize, while adding another major title to her resume following her victory at the Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine in June.
Ryu’s victory marks a remarkable achievement: two majors won in the space of three weeks, and her name now appears alongside the sport’s most elite players who have swept multiple majors in a single season. It also cements her status as a dominant force in women’s golf this year, a narrative given extra weight by the fact that she had missed the cut at Evian-les-Bains a year earlier and had a disappointing 61st-place finish at the PGA Frisco event in 2025.
The Evian Championship’s leaderboard reflected a tight race from the back end of Sunday’s round. Early on, Korda, the world number one, faltered, missing the cut at Evian-les-Bains, while Ryu extended her lead before Henderson’s late surge forced the playoff. The Japanese contingent made a strong showing. Aki Iwai demonstrated potential for a first major, sharing the lead with Ryu heading into the final stretch before a missed birdie bid on the last hole dropped her to third at 18-under. Fellow Japanese players Miyu Yamashita and Mao Saigo were three strokes behind at 15-under, tied with Jin-Hee Im of South Korea.
From a European perspective, Anna Nordqvist led the charge among the continent’s contenders, finishing at 13-under to be the top European in the field. English players Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, who had shared the second-round lead, ended the tournament eight-under, reflecting a competitive field with a mix of veterans and rising stars.
Ryu’s 18-under total on the weekend remains a standout performance, capped by her dramatic playoff win. The victory continued a remarkable run for Ryu, who has now mounted a two-major run within a short span and has positioned herself as a leading figure in women’s golf going into the rest of the season. Henderson’s near-miss will be a bittersweet moment, but her late push demonstrated once again why she is one of the sport’s most dangerous closers, capable of turning a wide-lead-deficit into a title bid with audacious late-round finishing power.
As the Evian Championship concludes, the focus shifts to how players will build on these performances in the next majors. Ryu’s recent form signals a potential golden era for her career, as she adds depth to a field already rich with talent, experience, and ambition. The Evian Championship, with its dramatic finish and playoff drama, will be remembered as a turning point for Ryu, and a showcase of Henderson’s relentless competitive spirit as she continues to chase more major glory in the seasons ahead.