Furue earns maiden major victory at Evian Championship

Japan’s Ayaka Furue earned her maiden major victory after an eagle at the final hole to win the Evian Championship by one shot.

Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou began the day with a one-shot lead and with 10 holes left to play, Furue was two shots behind Kyriacou and Lauren Coughlin.

Patty Tavatanakit eagled the final hole to finish with 63 and take a clubhouse lead on 17 under par, but Furue wrapped up her first major in style with an eagle three of her own to win on 19 under par with Kyriacou second.

Furue said: “I am so honoured to be the winner of the 2024 Amundi Evian Championship, with the 30th anniversary (of the tournament) and 10th anniversary of this being a major.

“I didn’t believe that I could get a major win, so I am so happy right now.”

Prior to her eagle on the 18th, Furue hit three straight birdies from the 14th on her way to securing victory.

She had six birdies in all in her third 65 of the week and admitted her confidence grew from the 15th hole.

She said: “Before starting the final round, I felt like I had to play aggressively today, but after I started playing, I was a little bit frustrated because I wasn’t getting many birdies.

“But after the 15th hole, I could gain my momentum. I could gain my confidence. So that was really good for me.”

Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow both failed to make the cut after the opening two rounds.