​You know you’ve achieved something legendary when others try to imitate the feat. That’s exactly the case with Grace Kim, whose astonishing hole-out helped keep alive a playoff that ultimately led to her victory over Jeeno Thitikul at last year’s Amundi Evian Championship. The moment has become a frequent topic of conversation, and the clip is replayed often.
Anyone who visits Evian Resort Golf Club can attempt to replicate it, and they’re reminded of the shot by a plaque mounted on a tree near the par-5 18th, close to where the heroics unfolded. Kim said she enjoyed seeing the tribute, especially as the LPGA Tour returns to France this week for the major—the fourth of the season. “I saw it for the first time yesterday and it was really cool,” Kim told reporters on Wednesday. “Hearing the fans who come to Evian and try it themselves makes me feel good about it. It’s a very cool thing for Evian Resort to put up, and I’m grateful for it. It makes me feel like it’s a legendary moment, so I’m really, really grateful.”
Last year, in the final round, the 25-year-old Australian eagled the 72nd hole to force the playoff. On the first attempt at the 18th, her approach found the water, a shot that seemed certain to end her bid for a major title. But after a penalty, Kim holed out from just off the rocks for birdie to match Thitikul. The players returned to 18, and, remarkably, Kim produced another eagle to win the title.
Now ranked No. 31 in the world, Kim posed for photographs with the new brown plaque, which bears the inscription in English and French: “From here, Grace Kim chipped in for birdie on her way to an incredible victory on the second playoff hole in 2025.” She said the moment felt special being back in France, where Evian’s memories are still vivid. “Driving in kind of reminded me of all the memories that were created last year, and obviously all the great memories, so it’s really nice to be back here in Evian,” Kim said. “It’s quite warm this week, which is nice as well. The drive felt a bit strange at first, but good. Playing the course, I’ve seen it all now. There are some differences, especially at 18. We’ll see how that plays out, but it certainly makes the hole trickier than it already was.”
The Evian course underwent a months-long renovation on several holes, including the 18th, where two new bunkers were added. One bunker sits on the right side of the fairway, a favored landing area off the tee. “It makes the fairway a lot tighter than it was last year on 18, but obviously you aim for the left to allow the ball to run back toward the middle as the fairway slopes,” Kim explained. “Off the tee, I don’t think it changes too much, but if you end up in the fairway bunker it forces you to lay up. You can’t take too much risk anymore.”