Kim Hyo-joo returns to the Evian Resort Golf Club this week seeking her second career major title, twelve years after her breakthrough victory at the 2014 Amundi Evian Championship.
The event features a total purse of $9.1 million, with the winner set to earn $1,365,000, according to official LPGA Tour tournament details. Kim, who entered the professional circuit with a historic win at this very course as a 19-year-old non-member in 2014, is looking to translate recent domestic momentum into major championship success. Her 2014 victory remains a career highlight, where she famously held off Hall of Famer Karrie Webb by a single stroke to secure the title.
A Season of Momentum and Major Challenges
This win marked her second victory on the Korean LPGA (KLPGA) tour this season, adding to her performance on the international stage. According to LPGA Tour statistics, Kim has recorded eight professional wins on the tour since her 2014 major debut, though a second major trophy has remained elusive.
Despite her consistent presence among the world's top players, major championships have proven difficult to navigate in recent years. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, Kim has secured two top-10 finishes across 13 major tournament appearances.
The Field and Financial Stakes
With a total prize fund of $9.1 million, the tournament remains one of the most lucrative stops on the professional circuit. The field includes 21 players from South Korea, a nation that has historically dominated the upper echelons of women's professional golf.
The financial stakes for this week are significant, with the $1,365,000 winner's share representing a substantial portion of the overall $9.1 million purse.
What to Watch for in France
As the tournament begins, observers will be watching to see if Kim can maintain the form she displayed at the Lotte Open.
Whether Kim can recapture the magic of 2014 remains the central narrative for the week, as she seeks to bolster her already impressive professional resume with a long-awaited second major championship.
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