Grace Kim has starred in one of the most amazing comebacks in golf history, securing her place among the Australian major champions. Kim, after a four-stroke deficit in the final round, achieved an epic victory over the world number two, Jeeno Thitikul, on the second playoff hole of the Evian Championship in France.
With an impressive eagle-birdie-eagle finish, Kim took the crown in the fourth major of the year. With three eagles in a final round of 67 strokes, Kim finished with a total of 270 strokes, 14 under par, joining Karrie Webb, Minjee Lee, Hannah Green and Jan Stephenson as the fifth Australian woman to win a major. Thitikul seemed set to win her first major, after Australians Kim, Lee and Gabriela Ruffels, struggled at the Evian Resort Club on Sunday. Ruffels shared the lead, while Kim and Lee, both 24 years old and winners of multiple majors, were one stroke behind as they began the final round in the beautiful French Alps, near Lake Geneva. After a day full of unexpected twists, Kim found herself in a tiebreaker with Thitikul, after achieving a spectacular eagle on the 18th hole, a par 5, which could be the shot of the year. Thitikul had the opportunity to win, but missed a short putt, allowing Kim to make an eagle and force a playoff.I really don’t know how it happened.
Grace Kim
Previously, Kim felt that she had missed the opportunity after a double bogey on the 12th hole.I wasn’t worried. I dropped the ball and it ended up in a pretty decent position and I just wanted to make sure I got there. Yeah, it just happened that I holed it. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it again. That was cool.
Grace Kim
It was then that he played almost as if in a trance in the last holes and in the tiebreaker. What were you thinking as you prepared for the 12-foot putt to make history on the second playoff hole?I thought it was over.
Grace Kim
Kim’s epic victory secured Australia a second consecutive major, after Lee won the Women’s PGA Championship just three weeks ago. After closing with a 67 for a total of 270 strokes, 14 under par, Kim beat Lee – who closed with a 68 – by one stroke. Ruffels and England’s Cara Gainer, a former tennis player, faded quickly with four bogeys in the first five holes. For Kim, a four-time winner of the Karrie Webb scholarship, which has given her the opportunity to learn from the greatest Australian champion, it was a victory that could change her life.I just looked straight at the hole. That’s what my caddie told me to do and I did it. It just all happened quickly.
Grace Kim
Completing a stellar championship for the Australian stars, Steph Kyriacou, runner-up in 2024, had another charge on the last day to come home with a 64 and tie for 14th place.It’s a great achievement for me. I had many doubts at the beginning of this year. I was losing motivation. I had to have some difficult conversations with the team. Yes, I had to wake up a bit. So being here next to this trophy is definitely surreal.
Grace Kim
