The LPGA Tour’s penultimate major, The Amundi Evian Championship, is off to an electrifying start as three talented players seized the opportunity provided by ideal morning conditions.
Major champion Patty Tavatanakit, LPGA Tour winner Gemma Dryburgh, and newly minted professional Ingrid Lindblad each carded a dazzling 7-under 64 to share the top of the leaderboard after Thursday’s first round.
Tavatanakit, who set the early pace, started on the 10th hole and blazed through her first nine with five birdies, posting an impressive 31.
“I feel like I always like coming back here. It’s always nice. The weather is always really good here.
Tends to get warm, but if anything, I feel like I’m more comfortable with my game compared to last year,” said Tavatanakit.
“So still had a lot of good memories from last year. Feel like I played decent not feeling comfortable, so this year it’s almost like a freed up feeling.”
With three top-10 finishes already this season, including a home victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand, Tavatanakit is riding high on confidence.
Ingrid Lindblad, only a month into her professional career, has already made a splash.
Turning pro in June after a stellar amateur run, including the ANNIKA Award and Inkster Award in 2024, she’s quickly proving her mettle.
Her bogey-free round at the Evian marked her first blemish-free performance on the LPGA Tour.
“Weather is great and that helps a lot. Just I kept saying if you don’t play well, you can just look at the lake and enjoy the views.
It’s really pretty and the course is in great condition,” said Lindblad. “It’s a bit on the softer side on the greens, which probably helped the scoring today, but I think firm the greens up a little bit and they’ll probably change a little bit.”
Gemma Dryburgh also showcased her talent, tying her career-low score of 64, a feat she last achieved during the third round of the 2023 CME Group Tour Championship.
“I think a lot of the girls have been here quite a few times. This is my third time playing it as a major.
Played the qualifier years ago. Just having seen it a few time really helps,” said Dryburgh, who had her putting coach, Nick Soto, alongside her.
“My caddie has been around I think his seventh Evian, so just that experience helps a lot, I think just knowing where to miss sometimes and where the best putts are.”
Six players are hot on their heels at 6-under, including 2014 champion Hyo Joo Kim, who carded seven birdies and a solitary bogey on the 12th.
Lydia Ko, the 2015 champion, also fired a 65, placing her in the group tied for fourth. Ko, making her 11th appearance at this major, is eyeing a win that would secure her spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame.
Five players, including LPGA Tour winners Haeran Ryu and Madelene Sagstrom, are tied for 10th at 5-under. Defending champion Celine Boutier and world No. 1 Nelly Korda are tied for 21st at 2-under.
The top amateur, Melanie Green, sits at 2-under after becoming the first American to win the Women’s Amateur Championship since 1996.
The stage is set for a thrilling competition at The Amundi Evian Championship, as these top contenders vie for glory in one of golf’s most prestigious events.
A LOOK AT THE LEADERS
| CATEGORY | Patty Tavatanakit | Ingrid Lindblad | Gemma Dryburgh |
| 2024 Race to CME Globe Rank | 12 | — | 70 |
| 2024 LPGA Tour Wins | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 LPGA Tour Top 10s | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 Season Earnings | $554,606 | 0 | $171,928 |
| Career LPGA Tour Wins | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Career LPGA Tour Top 10s | 18 | 0 | 10 |
| Career Money (LPGA) | $2,959,933 | — | $1,736,071 |
| Career LET Wins | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Epson Tour Wins | 3 | 0 | 0 |
