Grace Kim has fired a bogey-free six-under par 65 at Evian Resort Golf Club overnight to share the first-round lead at the Evian Championship, the fourth Women’s Major for the year.
The NSW star was flawless in her opening round, hitting 12 of 13 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation, and just 27 putts in her six birdie masterclass.
Kim’s short game proved crucial, with three sand saves, including a spectacular hole-out from the bunker on the 2nd hole, igniting her round.
“I didn’t really do much wrong. If I did, my short game really backed it up,” said Kim, who started from the 10th tee alongside fellow Australian Cassie Porter.
“Holed out a bunker shot on two. Went long and I was like, ‘Oh, good miss,’ and then holed the bunker shot.
“I had a few hard up-and-downs, but the majority of the time I was fairways and greens and holed a few putts out there.”
Kim’s 65 is her lowest ever round in a major championship and fourth career major round in the 60s, improving on her previous best of 68 in the third round at the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
The six-under-par effort also ties for the second-lowest of her LPGA Tour career, matching her previous best of 64, which she has posted on two occasions.
The impressive opening round also marks the third time Kim has led or co-led after the first round of an LPGA Tour event, joining the 2024 Dow Championship and 2024 JM Eagle LA Championship.
Alongside Kim at six under is fellow Aussie Gabriela Ruffels (who was also bogey-free), Americans Andrea Lee and Jennifer Kupcho, and Ireland’s Leona Maguire.
Western Australian Minjee Lee, winner of the LPGA Championship last month, is sitting one shot back at minus five.
Runner-up in this event 12 months ago, St Michael’s Stephanie Kyriacou posted a round of 1-under 70 to tie for 33rd. Hira Naveed and Robyn Choi tied for 43rd at even par. While Cassie Porter is in 76th spot at plus two alongside West Aussie Hannah Green. Queensland’s Karis Davidson rounds out the Aussie contingent, another shot back at three over.
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