Japan’s Aki Iwai carded a bogey-free eight-under 63 on Thursday to open a two-shot lead at the Amundi Evian Championship, while Charley Hull surged into a tie for third and world No 1 Nelly Korda slumped to a three-over 74.
According to Golfweek, the 24-year-old — who recently dropped the “e” from Akie and now competes under her nickname — needed just 27 putts at Evian Resort Golf Club, birdieing five of her final eight holes to pull clear of home favourite Perrine Delacour, who sits alone in second after a 65 at the fourth women’s major of the year.
Charley Hull And Lottie Woad Impress As Nelly Korda Faces Cut Battle
Hull played her final six holes in five under — a 15-foot eagle at the last and three birdies — to post a 66 and join Haeran Ryu, Maja Stark, Mao Saigo and Jin Hee Im at five under, Sky Sports reports. “I believed in myself and relaxed out there, took my time and took advantage of the birdies,” Hull said, in quotes carried by Sky Sports, as her long pursuit of a first major title gathered fresh momentum.
Compatriot Lottie Woad holed a 20-foot eagle putt at her closing hole for a 67 to sit four back, twelve months on from finishing one shot outside the playoff here as an amateur, per Golfweek.
Korda’s career Grand Slam bid stalled almost immediately: a double bogey at the par-four first sparked a run of five dropped shots in six holes, leaving the American 11 adrift and facing a fight on Friday simply to make the weekend. Defending champion Grace Kim fared little better, triple-bogeying the 12th in a 73.
