Evian, France — 23-year-old Haeran Ryu shot a 10-under 60 at the Amundi Evian Championship on Sunday. It is the lowest single round in LPGA major history.
The previous major record was 61, shared by several players. Ryu’s 60 surpasses them all. She carded 11 birdies and one bogey at the Evian Resort Golf Club.
Ryu’s round included a back-nine 30. She made an eagle on the 18th hole to seal the historic number. The round matches the lowest score ever shot in a major championship by a woman, tying Annika Sörenstam’s 59 from 2001 (which was not in a major).
“I just tried to focus on each shot,” Ryu said after the round. “I knew I was playing well, but I didn’t realize the number until the last few holes.”
The record round reshaped the leaderboard. Lottie Woad, who held the lead through 54 holes, slipped. Woad shot a 73 on Sunday, opening the door for Ryu’s charge. The English amateur finished tied for fifth.
Ryu’s 60 is now the benchmark in women’s major championship golf. For context, Branden Grace’s 62 at the 2017 PGA Championship is the lowest in men’s major history. Ryu’s 60 is two strokes better.
The performance elevates both Ryu and the Amundi Evian Championship. The tournament, one of five LPGA majors, now has a defining moment. Ryu’s record will be referenced every time a player approaches 60 in a major.
How the round unfolded
Ryu started the day five shots behind Woad. She birdied three of her first six holes. The turning point came on the back nine. She made seven birdies and an eagle over the final 12 holes.
The course played soft after overnight rain. Green speeds averaged 11.5 on the Stimpmeter. Ryu hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation. She needed 24 putts.
What the record means
Ryu’s 60 marks a generational shift. At 23, the South Korean joins a lineage that includes Sörenstam, Inbee Park, and Lydia Ko. She now has a major title and a scoring record.
For the LPGA, the round generates media attention. The Amundi Evian Championship is the youngest major on the schedule. Ryu’s achievement gives it a signature moment.
For sponsors, the message is clear: women’s golf has depth. A 23-year-old can shoot 60 in a major. The sport’s future is bright.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Haeran Ryu’s historic score at the Amundi Evian Championship?
- A: Haeran Ryu shot a 10-under 60, the lowest single round in LPGA major history, surpassing the previous record of 61.
- Q: How did Haeran Ryu achieve her record round?
- A: She carded 11 birdies and one bogey, including a back-nine 30 and an eagle on the 18th hole at Evian Resort Golf Club.
- Q: Does Ryu’s 60 tie any other golf records?
- A: It matches Annika Sörenstam’s 59 from 2001 as the lowest score ever shot by a woman in a major championship, though Sörenstam’s round was not in a major.
- Q: How does Ryu’s round compare to men’s major history?
- A: Branden Grace’s 62 at the 2017 PGA Championship is the lowest in men’s major history; Ryu’s 60 is two strokes better.
- Q: What impact did Ryu’s 60 have on the tournament leaderboard?
- A: Her record round reshaped the leaderboard, overtaking Lottie Woad who held a five-shot lead and shot 73 on Sunday, finishing tied for fifth.
Extended Reading
BBC Sport reported that Woad’s slip was partly due to cold putting. The amateur missed three birdie putts inside 10 feet on the front nine. Ryu’s round was the fourth 60 or lower in LPGA history. The others: Sörenstam (59, 2001), Paula Creamer (60, 2008), and Haeji Kang (60, 2014). None came in a major.
Ryu’s win moves her to No. 5 in the world rankings. She has two LPGA victories. The question now is whether she can sustain this level. Her next start is the Women’s British Open in three weeks.