Jennifer Kupcho in tie for Evian lead, Nelly Korda makes strong start
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Jennifer Kupcho, a former runner-up in the Evian Championship, has struggled for form in recent years.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- Jennifer Kupcho shares Evian lead at six-under with Andrea Lee, Grace Kim, Gabriela Ruffels, and Leona Maguire, who hit a hole-in-one.
- Nelly Korda is two shots back targeting her third major title, and Minjee Lee is one shot further back after a 65.
- Kupcho, whose recent win relaxed her, stated: "I'm still not playing my best... I can still win even if I may not be at my best."
AI generated
EVIAN – American Jennifer Kupcho took part of a five-way tie for the Evian Championship lead with a six-under first round of 65 on July 10, with Nelly Korda and Minjee Lee among the big names in contention.
Singapore’s Shannon Tan fought back with a fine second-round 68 that included six birdies, after an opening two-over 73 that put her tied for 76th with big names such as Lydia Ko and Lilia Vu.
Kupcho, a former runner-up in the Evian, has struggled for form in recent years but claimed her first LPGA Tour title since 2022 in June.
She has not finished in the top 10 at a major since winning the 2022 Chevron Championship, but rounded off an excellent opening day with a birdie on the 17th hole and an eagle on the par-five 18th.
She is level at the top of the leaderboard with compatriot Andrea Lee, Australian duo Grace Kim and Gabriela Ruffels, and Ireland’s Leona Maguire.
“I think it’s just made me relax a little bit, just to not have to worry about anything,” Kupcho said of her recent win in New Jersey.
“I can play whatever events I want. Other than that (it) hasn’t changed a whole lot. I’m still not playing my best I would say, so I’m just kind of sticking with it, knowing I can still win even if I may not be at my best.”
Maguire, chasing her first major title, enjoyed a spectacular moment in her 65 with a hole-in-one on the par-three second hole, her 11th of the day.
“Looked good in the air. You’re never sure on that hole until the ball actually lands,” said the European Solheim Cup star.
“Sort of a perfect morning for it. Not much wind which is nice, especially on that tee box.”
There are some threatening challengers already lining up just behind the leading quintet, with world No. 1 Korda only two shots behind after a 67.
The American is targeting a third major title and first since the 2024 Chevron. She made six birdies and two bogeys in her opening round to put herself firmly in the mix.
“A couple of parts of my game helped me and rescued me, and the other parts let me down,” she said.
“That’s golf. Just going to try and figure it out on the range.”
US world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda made six birdies and two bogeys in her opening round to put herself firmly in the mix.
PHOTO: AFP
Minjee Lee is alone in sixth place on 66 after making four birdies in her last seven holes.
The Australian world No. 6 is among the title favourites in France this week after sealing her third major crown in June in the Women’s PGA Championship.
She is targeting a second Evian success after her maiden triumph in 2021, although she has not finished in the top 10 in any of her other nine appearances.
In men’s golf, Sepp Straka was among four players tied for the lead at six-under 64 after the opening round of the Scottish Open, as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy stayed within striking distance.
Nico Echavarria, Jake Knapp and Victor Perez also shared the lead at the Renaissance Club, as glorious conditions made for a day of low scoring on Scotland’s east coast.
World No. 1 Scheffler carded a three-under round of 67, while McIlroy finished on 68. AFP
