​Japan’s Aki Iwai moved to the top of the Evian Championship leaderboard with a flawless bogey-free 63 in Thursday’s opening round at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France. The 24-year-old teed off with the morning wave and closed with a flourish, birdieing five of her final eight holes to finish at 8-under par and hold a two-shot lead as the tournament began its fourth major of the 2024 LPGA season. Iwai credited her steady focus and solid preparation around the greens, noting that she spent extra time chipping and putting and was pleased with her driving accuracy. “I was able to have a good focus on my golf and stay committed. I prepared a lot around the green with chipping and putting. I was driving well, but honestly everything was good,” Iwai said. “I like the driver, so if I’m good and consistent with my driver, it helps. I made the good score. I like this course; it’s similar to a course in Japan.”
France’s Perrine Delacour sits in solo second after a 6-under 65 in Thursday’s round. Delacour started on the back nine and surged with an eagle on the par-5 15th along with six birdies and two bogeys to reach 11 under through the early stage of the event. Her performance put her one stroke in front of a pack of chasers as the field navigates the afternoon wave.
Five players share third place at 5 under, with another group of seven hot on their heels just one shot adrift. Among the early contenders is a star-studded cluster that includes several major champions and rising talents seeking to position themselves for a run at the title.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who has already captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open this season, opened with a 3-over 74 and finds herself 11 strokes behind the leader. Korda’s round included two birdies, three bogeys, and a double-bogey at the par-4 first hole—her 10th of the day after beginning the round on the back nine. With the cut line looming, she’ll need to hustle to survive the weekend. The cut will be determined by the top 65 players and ties after Friday’s second round.
A potential fifth major title and a place in the LPGA Hall of Fame could be within reach for Korda if she can mount a rally. The 27-year-old, who has enjoyed a remarkable start to the year, must rebound quickly to keep her championship hopes alive as the event unfolds.
Among the players hovering near the cut line is Punahou graduate Allisen Corpuz, who stands at 1-over 72 and sits in a tie for 69th. Corpuz finished both nines strongly, closing with birdies on the final par-5s after ending the front and back nines with four bogeys and three birdies overall.
Several other competitors find themselves in contention or just outside the mix as tournament play continues. England’s Charley Hull, Sweden’s Maja Stark, Japan’s Mao Saigo, and South Koreans Haeran Ryu and Jin Hee Im are all tied for third at 4 under, while a trio of strong links players—Lottie Woad and Cara Gainer of England and Canada’s Brooke Henderson, the 2022 Evian winner—also sit within striking distance of the leaders.
As the field shifts through the afternoon rounds, players will be eyeing the same objective: capitalize on favorable early-round conditions, avoid costly mistakes, and position themselves to contend on moving day. The Evian Championship, one of golf’s five majors on the LPGA Tour calendar, continues to showcase an international field with a mix of experience and youth ready to challenge for the coveted title at the picturesque Evian Resort Golf Club.