​Evian-les-Bains, France — Aki Iwai surged to a two-stroke lead after firing an 8-under 63 in the opening round of the Evian Championship, the fourth women’s major of the season, as world No. 1 Nelly Korda stumbled in tricky conditions. Ranked 24th, Iwai blistered the lakeside course with eight birdies and no bogeys, delivering a flawless round in sunny, wind-sculpted light that highlighted Evian’s picturesque setting, which three weeks ago welcomed leaders from the G7 summit. Iwai’s late surge featured birdies on three of the last four holes, including an eye-catching birdie at the par-5 18th, to grab a two-shot edge over the field.
Sitting two back in the clubhouse, Perrine Delacour posted a 6-under 65 after an eagle at the par-5 15th and a couple of bogeys late in her round. Delacour’s round kept her in the mix, as did a cluster of five players tied for third at 5-under 66, among them Haeran Ryu, the former Women’s PGA Championship winner, and Charley Hull, who started the week as a Wimbledon guest in the Royal Box.
Hull’s round began shakily with two early bogeys, but she steadied to even par at the turn and then surged home with a 31 on the back nine, capped by an eagle at the par-5 18th to finish at 5-under. Also at 5-under were Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, and Jin Hee Im, each delivering solid rounds in a highly competitive field that showcased the depth of the season’s majors lineup.
The defending run at Evian Resort Golf Club proved challenging for Nelly Korda, whose season has already included victories in the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open. The top-ranked player in the world found trouble early, slipping to 3-over on the day and eventually finishing with a 74, 11 strokes behind Iwai. Korda’s round included a brutal opening hole double bogey six, a setback that set a difficult tone from the outset.
France’s own Celine Boutier, the 2023 Evian champion, faced a rough start as well, opening with a triple bogey seven on No. 1 and then adding back-to-back double bogeys at Nos. 10 and 11. She did settle late with a birdie at the 18th, finishing at 5-over 76. It has been a tournament of contrasts so far, with the award-winning Evian course testing every facet of players’ games.
As the Evian Championship continues to evolve, it has firmly established itself in the landscape of women’s golf, joining the ranks of the sport’s five majors and carrying a prize purse of $9.1 million, a reflection of the event’s growing prestige and its role in shaping the season’s momentum. With Iwai holding the outright lead and a strong chasing pack breathing down the road, the 2024 edition promises more riveting rounds as players aim to capitalize on the course’s lakeside charm and the evolving strategies required to master Evian Resort.