The battle for the fourth women’s Major of the year begins on Thursday, with a world-class field competing for The Evian Championship in France.
Evian Resort Golf Club has hosted this tournament since the inaugural edition in 1994 when it was an LET event.
It was awarded Major status in 2013, when Norway’s Suzann Pettersen claimed the spoils, and there has been a different winner every year since.
World number one Nelly Korda, who has won the Chevron Championship and Women’s US Open this year to take her Major tally to four, will be hoping to improve on her best Evian finish of tied eighth.
The Evian Championship First-Round Leader Tips Summary
Best Bet - Hyo Joo Kim each-way @ 28/1
Alternative Bet - Ina Yoon each-way @ 35/1
Alternative Bet - Helen Briem each-way @ 80/1
The Evian Championship First-Round Leader Prediction
Best Bet: Hyo Joo Kim each-way @ 28/1
Hyo Joo Kim has fond memories of The Evian Championship, having lifted the trophy in 2013 on her Major debut, and further finishes of second (2019) and third (2022) highlight her affinity for this course.
The 30-year-old has been in solid form this year, winning twice on the LPGA Tour in March at the Fortinet Founders Cup and Ford Championship before triumphing twice on the LPGA of Korea Tour in May and July.
Kim is second in strokes gained total on the LPGA circuit and she has been sensational on the greens, as she ranks first in putts per greens in regulation, putts per round and putts per round one.
The South Korean adapts to the speeds of the putting surfaces quickly and her hot flat-stick can help her get off to a fast start on Thursday.
Kim is first in round one scoring average and it would be no surprise to see her at the summit after the opening 18 holes.
Alternative Bet: Ina Yoon each-way @ 35/1
Another player capable of getting into early contention is Ina Yoon, who was second at the women’s PGA Championship last month and tied fourth at the Chevron Championship in April.
The South Korean has just eight Major appearances to her name but she has come close to landing one of the biggest prizes in the game and can take another big step forward in France.
Yoon is ninth in greens in regulation and this could prove crucial given how important accuracy on approach is at a course which features huge undulations.
The 23-year-old is also third in round one scoring average and she shot a brilliant 63 to take the day one lead at last month’s PGA Championship.
Alternative Bet: Helen Briem each-way @ 80/1
Further down the betting is Helen Briem and she looks to be a juicy price in the first-round leader market, given the fact she won the Jabra Ladies Open de France at Evian Resort in May.
The 20-year-old German opened with a round of 69 in the LET event, leaving her three shots off the pace, before eventually storming to a seven-stroke victory.
Her form on the LPGA Tour has not been much to shout about, but Briem ranks first in strokes gained approach and this area of her game should give her an advantage this week.
Key Tournament Stats
This is the fourth of five women’s Majors this year
Grace Kim is the defending champion after beating Jeeno Thitikul in a play-off in 2025
Kim shot a first round 65 last year to sit in a five-way share for the lead
Evian Resort Golf Club is the host venue, with this par 71 course measuring 6,504 yards
No player has won this tournament more than once since it became a Major in 2013
Hyo Joo Kim ranks first for round one scoring average on the LPGA Tour
Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
