It is time for the fourth major of the LPGA season as the best players in the women’s game travel to France for the Evian Championship. This event has produced a star-studded roster of champions and is often one of the most exciting tournaments on the LPGA Tour schedule. Here is a look at the five players most likely to win the Evian Championship:
No. 5 – Nelly Korda – Despite Korda’s season looking like a disappointment on the surface, she is still consistently playing really good golf. She has made every cut, had four top-10 finishes, three of which are top fives. She has finished top 20 in all three major championships and ranks No. 2 on the LPGA Tour in strokes gained total. Her ball striking has been as elite as ever, ranking No. 1 in strokes gained off the tee and strokes gained approach. The short game has just been inconsistent and often at inopportune times. She has had some success at Evian, with two top-10 finishes.
No. 4 – Lydia Ko – There is not a course in the world that Lydia Ko plays better than Evian. At only 18-years-old Ko won her first major here by six strokes. She has finished in the top-10 six more times, including a runner-up finish in 2013 when she was still an amateur. Ever since her win in Singapore in February, Ko has had just an okay season but has trended well since May. She is playing well other than with the driver, which has always been her weakness. She ranks No. 7 in total strokes gained and predictably has been elite around the greens ranking No. 3 in strokes gained around the green and No. 11 in strokes gained putting.
No. 3 – Ayaka Furue – Last year’s champion of this event hasn’t quite been in the same consistent form she was in 2024, but this course feels like a good place to get back on track. Furue has played in this event four times and has made the cut every time, with three top-20s and a pair of top five finishes. It is clear that something about this course gives Furue a lot of confidence. Despite her inconsistency of late, Furue still ranks No. 13 in the CME Standings, so she isn’t far removed from playing elite golf. I think her chances of going back-to-back should feel pretty strong.
No. 2 – Jeeno Thitikul – Thitikul would likely be No. 1 here if she had proven she can finish in major championships. Just a couple weeks ago at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Thitikul held a commanding lead heading into the weekend, but was really out of the tournament early Sunday. Thitikul is as good of a player in the world as there is, ranking No. 1 in the CME Standings and in total strokes gained. She has also played well at Evian with three top-10 finishes in her short career on this course. Until she wins her first major though, it is hard to put her in the top spot.
No. 1 – Minjee Lee – Minjee Lee feels like a fairly easy pick in the top spot. There’s nothing not to love about her chances this week. She has won here before, her first major championship in 2021. She should have a lot of confidence and momentum, coming off her third major championship at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and now the monkey is off her back relating to her long winless streak. Lee is ranked No. 3 in total strokes gained and is excelling in every area other than her traditional strength, approach shots. That elite iron play can show up at any time though, which would make Lee arguably the most complete player in the game.
