EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Nelly Korda missed the cut at the 2026 Amundi Evian Championship. The world No. 1 shot rounds of 74 and 73, finishing at 5-over par. It was a stunning failure for a player who entered the week as the heavy favorite.
The 27-year-old American struggled with her iron play and putting. On the par-4 12th hole in the second round, she hit a tee shot into the water, leading to a double bogey. She never recovered. The missed cut is her second in her last five major starts.
Korda’s exit exposed the grind of major championship golf. The mental and physical toll of four rounds under the highest pressure is unforgiving. Even the most dominant players are vulnerable.
Meanwhile, England’s Lottie Woad seized the lead. The 22-year-old fired a second-round 66 to reach 9-under par, two shots clear of the field. Woad, who won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2024, has been on a steady ascent. Her performance here signals a potential power shift in women’s golf.
“It’s just another round of golf,” Woad said after her round. “But it’s also a major. You have to stay in the moment.” She handled the pressure with precision, hitting 14 of 18 greens in regulation.
The course at Evian Resort Golf Club provides a stark contrast to the drama. The layout winds along Lake Geneva, surrounded by the French Alps. The setting is serene. The competition is anything but.
Final Round Tee Times and Groupings
The final round at the Amundi Evian Championship begins at 7:30 a.m. local time. The final group — Lottie Woad, Celine Boutier, and Maja Stark — tees off at 12:30 p.m. Local TV coverage airs on Golf Channel and NBC. Fans can stream via Peacock and the LPGA’s official app.
Key groupings include:
| Group | Players | Tee Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| Final Group | Lottie Woad, Celine Boutier, Maja Stark | 12:30 p.m. |
| Second-to-last | Atthaya Thitikul, Lydia Ko, Linn Grant | 12:20 p.m. |
| Notable Early | Nelly Korda (missed cut) | N/A |
The cut line fell at even par. Only 68 players advanced to the weekend.
The town of Évian-les-Bains itself is a quiet resort destination, with 4,000 permanent residents. Its streets are lined with Belle Époque architecture and thermal baths. The tournament is the only LPGA major held in continental Europe. It operates on a smaller budget than its U.S. counterparts, but its charm lies in its intimacy. As The Athletic noted, “The major tucked into a quiet resort town” offers a unique vibe that players and fans alike cherish.
Korda’s missed cut is a case study in the major grind. She had won six times in the 2025 season, including the Chevron Championship. She entered the Evian as the betting favorite. But the margins are razor-thin. One poor round can derail a week. Two rounds can end it.
For Woad, the spotlight is now on her. She has never led a major entering the final round. The pressure will be immense. But she has the game to handle it. If she wins, it would be her first major title.
Korda will regroup. Her season is not over. The Women’s British Open is in three weeks. But the Evian exit is a reminder: in golf, no one is safe. The major grind continues.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why did Nelly Korda miss the cut at the Evian Championship?
- A: Korda struggled with iron play and putting, notably hitting a tee shot into the water on the par-4 12th hole in the second round, leading to a double bogey. She finished at 5-over par with rounds of 74 and 73.
- Q: What does Korda’s exit reveal about major championship golf?
- A: It exposes the harsh reality of the major grind, where the mental and physical toll under extreme pressure can break even the most dominant players, as shown by her second missed cut in her last five major starts.
- Q: Who took the lead after Korda’s exit?
- A: England’s Lottie Woad seized the lead with a second-round 66, reaching 9-under par, two shots clear of the field, signaling a potential power shift in women’s golf.
Extended Reading
The Athletic’s feature on the Evian Championship provided context on the tournament’s unique setting and local culture. Golf Channel’s final round tee times and grouping details were sourced from official LPGA releases. ESPN confirmed Korda’s missed cut statistics and Woad’s second-round score.