The Amundi Evian Championship saw Stephanie Kyriacou, ranked World No. 100, take the lead heading into the final round with a score of 14 under. Patty Tavatanakit was the only past major champion in the top 10 after the extended Saturday round, which was suspended due to a lightning system. Lauren Coughlin and Ayaka Furue were trailing Kyriacou by one shot.
After shooting 67 in the third round, Kyriacou, who has two Ladies European Tour victories, will be sleeping on the first 54-hole LPGA lead of her career. The Australian golfer qualified for the LPGA through Q-Series in 2022 and has been playing consistently with scores of 66-66-67. She has relied on her caddie, Weiliang Wang, for support and motivation throughout the tournament.
Furue, who had been in control at the Evian Championship, struggled in the third round with two bogeys after going bogey-free through the first 46 holes. She has had a strong presence in major tournaments, with her best finish coming in the 2021 Evian where she finished fourth. Coughlin, on the other hand, has had a banner LPGA year with three top-10 finishes in 2024, including a T-3 in the Chevron Championship.
Coughlin, who had previously struggled at the Evian, felt more confident this year after working on her game and focusing on sidehill lies. With her husband back on the bag, she felt a renewed sense of comradery and confidence, which showed in her performance on the course. Ewing, Tavatanakit, and Anannarukarn are also within striking distance of the lead, with Ewing posting an impressive seven-under 64 in the third round.
Nelly Korda, the World No. 1, had a solid performance after coming off a streak of three missed cuts. She shot 70 in the third round and is tied for 43rd place. The scoring volatility at the Evian Championship provides hope for those lurking behind the leaders, with several players within striking distance of the top spot as they head into the final round.
As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on Kyriacou, Coughlin, and the other contenders as they battle for the coveted title at the Evian Championship. With the leaderboard tightly packed and the unpredictable nature of the course, fans can expect an exciting finish to a thrilling tournament.
