Aki Iwai leads and Nelly Korda struggles in first round at Evian women's
major
[July 10, 2026]
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Aki Iwai shot an 8-under 63
for a two-stroke lead on Thursday in the first round of the Evian
Championship, the fourth women’s golf major of the season, as top-ranked
Nelly Korda struggled.
The 24th-ranked Iwai had eight birdies and no dropped shots in the
sun-splashed lakeside town that three weeks ago hosted the G7 summit of
world leaders. |
Aki Iwai, of Japan, drives from the 10th tee during the second round of
the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament, Friday, June 26, 2026, in
Chaska, Minn. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) |
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Japan's Iwai made birdies at three of the last four holes,
including the par-5 18th, and led by two shots from Perrine
Delacour, whose 6-under 65 included an eagle at the par-5 15th
and a pair of bogeys toward the end of her round.
A group of five players with 5-under 66s included the winner of
the Women’s PGA Championship two weeks ago, Haeran Ryu, and
world No. 5 Charley Hull, who started the week as a guest in the
Royal Box at Wimbledon.
Hull had two early bogeys before making the turn at level par,
then came home in just 31 shots capped by an eagle at the par-5
18th. Also on 5 under were Mao Saigo, Maja Stark and Jin Hee Im.
Korda struggles
It was a tough day at Evian Resort Golf Club for Korda, who won
the first two majors this season — the Chevron Championship and
the U.S. Women’s Open.
Korda was 11 shots back with a 3-over 74, including a doubly
bogey six at the first hole, which she played as her 10th.
Celine Boutier, the 2023 champion at Evian, had a bigger problem
at No. 1. She started with a triple bogey 7 and later made
back-to-back double bogey 6s on Nos. 10 and 11. Boutier birdied
the 18th to card a 5-over 76.
The Evian Championship has been the fifth women's major since
the 2013 edition and now has a $9.1 million prize money fund.
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