Ayaka Furue had been one of the top players in the LPGA in 2024, with multiple top 10 finishes in half of her events. She had played in sixteen out of seventeen events, showcasing her dedication to the sport throughout the year. Finally, her hard work paid off as she triumphed for her first major win at the Evian Championship in France. Despite playing in tournaments across the world from Florida to Asia to Europe, Furue showed no signs of fatigue during the tournament, going the first 46 holes without a bogey.
The final round of the Evian Championship saw a close competition between Furue and other players like Stephanie Kyriacou, Lauren Coughlin, and Patty Tavitanakit. Tavitanakit made an impressive round with six birdies in her first 15 holes, shooting a buzzing 63. Furue found inspiration in a recent hobby of hers, Star Wars, particularly the quote “May the force be with you.” This motivation helped her make crucial birdies on the 14th, 15th, and 16th holes to tie Kyriacou for the lead.
Throughout the day, Furue and her caddie had a target score of 6-under in mind, and she was able to reach it with her impressive performance down the stretch. When Tavitanakit made an eagle to reach 18 under from the group ahead, it became clear that Furue needed to match that score to win outright. On the 18th hole, she had the opportunity to either two-putt for a birdie to force a playoff or make a birdie in one stroke to win the tournament.
With a well-executed shot, Furue’s ball landed in the center of the cup, securing her victory at the Evian Championship. Shortly after her win, she was surrounded by her friends who celebrated with a champagne shower. Furue’s dedication to the sport and her ability to stay focused under pressure led to her first major win in 2024. Her success in the tournament solidified her place as one of the top players on the LPGA tour.
