Haeran Ryu beats Brooke Henderson in playoff to win Evian Championship for 2nd straight major title
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — A second major title in a three-week stretch. The lowest round — an 11-under 60 — in an LPGA major.
It was quite the weekend for Haeran Ryu, the latest South Korean sensation in women’s golf.
Ryu, the winner of the Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine on June 29, gave up a three-shot overnight lead, birdied No. 18 to make a playoff, and beat Brooke Henderson on the first extra hole to win the Evian Championship on Sunday.
“This,” said the 25-year-old Ryu, drenched in Champagne and cradling the trophy in her left arm, “is just a dream right now.”
A day after rolling in nine birdies and an eagle to set the scoring record for women’s majors, Ryu couldn’t make a putt at Evian Golf Resort and found herself teeing off on the par-5 18th in a tie for the lead with Japanese golfer Aki Iwai and with Henderson — a two-time major winner and 2022 Evian champion — a shot back.
With Henderson hitting her second shot to 8 feet, Ryu needed to make birdie — her first of the day — from further out to ensure being in a playoff and a putt finally dropped to complete a level-par 71. Iwai missed her birdie putt to fall out of contention but Henderson curled in for eagle to take the championships to extra holes.
It was the third eagle of the round for Henderson, whose 64 included a hole-in-one at No. 8 after finding the middle of the green and seeing her ball roll all the way in.
Ryu and Henderson went back up No. 18 in separate golf carts. Ryu found the middle of the fairway, while Henderson drove left into the rough and had to lay up.
Ryu hit her second onto the green and left an eagle putt 3 feet short. That proved to be the distance needed for the win after Henderson could only make par, and Ryu made no mistake.
“It was so tough today because my putt always missed the cup,” Ryu said. “Just made the one birdie on the last hole.
“Before these three weeks,” she added, “I didn’t have a major championship — now two in a row. I am so happy, I can’t believe it.”
For the first time in women’s golf, there have been double major winners in the same year.
No. 1-ranked Nelly Korda won the first two of 2026 — the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open.
Henderson was looking to be the first repeat winner of the Evian Championship since it became women’s golf’s fifth major in 2013.
“Obviously very exciting to get into the playoff,” the 28-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., said. “Wish I had played a little bit better, but Haeran has been playing great. Congrats to her.”
Iwai wept as she fell short of winning her first major title and becoming the fifth major champion from Japan since the start of 2024.
Still, third place was her best finish in a major.
“I got a little confidence,” she said, fighting back tears. “I never give up.”
The year’s final major — the Women’s British Open — is at Royal Lytham & St. Annes starting July 30.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf