Korda’s Early Exit at Evian
Nelly Korda, the top-ranked golfer, was eliminated from the Evian Championship after the second round on Friday, missing the cut by a single stroke. This marks an early end to her pursuit of a third consecutive major title and her fifth overall. Korda’s performance at Evian has historically been challenging, as she has never finished higher than eighth in this tournament.
Korda began the tournament with a score of 74 on Thursday. Although she improved her play on Friday with a 69, her combined score of 1-over placed her in a tie for 67th, just outside the cut line. Her last missed cut occurred at the 2024 Women’s PGA Championship. Earlier this season, Korda secured victories in the first two majors, the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open.
On Thursday, Korda faced difficulties, finishing 11 shots behind the leader with a 3-over 74. Her round included a double bogey six on the first hole, which she played as her tenth. The Evian Championship is the fourth women’s golf major of the season, and it has been the fifth women’s major since the 2013 edition. The tournament now features a prize money fund of $9.1 million.
Woad Secures Second-Round Lead
While Korda struggled to remain in contention, English golfer Lottie Woad delivered a strong performance, carding a 7-under 64 to claim a one-stroke lead. Woad’s round included eight birdies and one bogey, positioning her at 11 under overall at the halfway point of the tournament. She now leads overnight leader Aki Iwai of Japan.
Woad attributed her success to consistent ball striking, noting that hitting fairways and greens is crucial on the course. She emphasized the importance of her driver, stating that a strong performance off the tee allows for more wedge shots and scoring opportunities. The tournament is being held at the lakeside Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.
Aki Iwai had previously established an 8-under 63 on Thursday, securing a two-stroke lead in the first round. Iwai’s opening round featured eight birdies without any dropped shots. She made birdies on three of her last four holes, including the par-5 18th. Her initial lead was over Perrine Delacour, who posted a 6-under 65, which included an eagle on the par-5 15th.
Following Iwai’s first-round performance, a group of five players, including Haeran Ryu, the winner of the Women’s PGA Championship two weeks prior, were tied at 5-under 66. This group also included world No. 5 Charley Hull, who started the week as a guest in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. Hull recovered from two early bogeys to finish her front nine at even par, then completed her back nine in 31 shots, capped by an eagle on the par-5 18th. Other players at 5 under included Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, and Jin Hee Im.
On Friday, Iwai carded a 69, placing her two shots ahead of fellow countrywoman Mao Saigo and South Korea’s Haeran Ryu, who both shot 68. Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario, also made an eagle on her final hole in the first round, placing her in a group at 4 under. The 2023 Evian champion, Celine Boutier, experienced a challenging first round, starting with a triple bogey 7 on the first hole and later recording back-to-back double bogeys on holes 10 and 11, ultimately finishing with a 5-over 76, despite a birdie on the 18th.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
