World No. 3 Kim Hyo-joo and world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States will clash this week. The showdown comes at the Evian Championship (total purse of $9.1 million), the fourth major of the LPGA Tour season, held over four days from Friday at the Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.
Kim Hyo-joo, who is enjoying a second prime with even sharper skills this season, traveled directly to France after winning the Lotte Open on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour, which concluded Thursday. Kim, who has a special connection to this tournament after winning it in 2014 when she was not yet an LPGA Tour member, is aiming to reclaim the Evian title after 12 years and reach her 10th career LPGA Tour victory. After winning the Lotte Open, Kim said, "My shot feel has returned," adding, "I expect an even better result at the Evian Championship."
Ryu Hae-ran, who won the most recent major, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, is aiming for two straight major wins. Ryu has been in good form with her shots, finishing in the top 10 seven times this season. Yoon Ina, who is on the rise, is also a contender.
Kim Sei-young, Choi Hye-jin, Hwang Yu-min, Ko Jin-young, Yang Hee-young, Lee Mi-hyang, Shin Ji-eun, Choi Woon-jung, and An Na-rin will also compete. Yoo Hyun-jo and Seo Kyo-rim of the KLPGA Tour made the entry list, ranking within the world's top 50. Amateur Yang Yoon-seo, who won the Asia-Pacific Women's Amateur Championship in February, has also thrown down the gauntlet.
World No. 1 Korda is taking dead aim at completing the career Grand Slam along with her third major trophy of the season in this tournament. In women's golf, winning four of the five majors is recognized as a career Grand Slam.
Korda has collected trophies at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship (2021), the Chevron Championship (2024, 2026), and the U.S. Women's Open (2026). She would complete the career Grand Slam by adding a win at either the Evian Championship or the AIG Women's Open. In women's golf, only seven players, including Park In-bee, Karrie Webb of Australia, and Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, have achieved the career Grand Slam.
The defending champion is Korean-Australian player Grace Kim. World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, Lottie Woad and Charley Hull of England, Miyu Yamashita of Japan, and Hannah Green of Australia will also compete for the title.
