The Evian Championship Preview

This spectacular summer of major golf continues with the return of the Evian Championship at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, Southeastern France. 

In 2019, Jin Young Ko shot a final round of 67 to triumph by two shots ahead of Jennifer Kupcho, Shanshan Feng and Hyo Joo Kim, claiming her fifth career LPGA victory and second major championship of a remarkable season.

With the event being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the defending champion will be looking to overcome the challenge of world number one Nelly Korda, still buoyant after winning the Women's PGA Championship last month.

Legendary major winner Inbee Park remains an ominous threat on a leaderboard, with her 2012 triumph at the Evian coming a year before it enjoyed co-sanctioned major status between the LPGA and LET.

2015 champion Lydia Ko almost won two years earlier as an amateur, with the New Zealander always enjoying her visits to this corner of France. Anna Nordqvist (2017) and Angela Stanford (2018) are among the other recent past champions in the field.

In addition to Nelly, American hopes will be pinned on older sister Jessica, Ally Ewing, and Lizette Salas, who has knocked on the door of claiming her first major. Paula Creamer (2005) and Natalie Gulbis (2007) both won the event in its previous guise and will be hoping to roll back the years this week.

The ever-impressive Sei Young Kim finished second here three years ago, while ANA Inspiration champion Patty Tavatanakit was a sensation earlier in the season. 

For Europeans, with the Solheim Cup approaching, focus will be on the form of Georgia Hall, Charley Hull, and Sophia Popov, while Matilda Castren's home win in Finland at the weekend will have come as a welcome boost to captain Catriona Matthew.

However, there are some notable absentees from the tournament, including Danielle Kang, US Women's Open champion Yuka Saso, and Lexi Thompson.

While the Evian may be the least prestigious of the five majors in the women's game, the opportunity to grasp part of the $4.5 million prize fund - and the chance to claim a significant title - is something that will inspire those who have made the journey to the championship.