Grace Kim delivered an extraordinary performance at the Evian Championship on July 30, 2023, emerging victorious and becoming only the fifth Australian woman to win a golf major. The 24-year-old staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a three-shot deficit with just four holes left in the final round.
Kim began her final stretch trailing by three strokes. Yet, she demonstrated resilience by finishing with a birdie, birdie, par, and an eagle, ultimately tying for the lead with Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul. This impressive finish propelled her into a playoff, marking a crucial moment in her career.
Playoff Drama and Triumph
The playoff was not without its challenges. On the first hole, Kim faced a daunting situation after her second shot landed in the pond near the 18th green. Despite this setback, she managed to chip in from her drop zone, forcing the playoff to continue to a second hole. In a stunning turn of events, Kim sealed her victory by sinking a 20-foot eagle putt.
“Obviously, it’s a huge achievement for me,” Kim remarked, as reported by Reuters. “I’ve had a lot of doubts early this year. I was kind of losing motivation.”
Kim’s journey to this moment has not been easy. Throughout the tournament, she battled a cold and faced challenges on the LPGA Tour. Since winning the Lotte Championship in Hawaii during her rookie season in 2023, she had struggled to maintain form, achieving only one top-10 finish in her last eleven appearances. Earlier this year, Kim fell to world No. 100.
A Milestone for Australian Golf
With her victory at the Evian Championship, Kim joins an elite group in Australian women’s golf. She now stands alongside fellow major winners such as Minjee Lee, Karrie Webb, Jan Stephenson, and Hannah Green. Lee, who had previously secured her first major title at this same championship, was on hand to celebrate Kim’s victory, joyfully spraying her with champagne after the win.
Reflecting on her achievement, Kim expressed the significance of her win. “I saw there is a picture of Karrie as you walk into the locker room, walking down 18 as well, so seeing that each day is motivating,” she said. This sense of history and connection to previous champions appears to have fueled her determination throughout the tournament.
Grace Kim’s improbable comeback at the Evian Championship not only marks a pivotal moment in her career but also adds another chapter to the rich legacy of Australian women in golf. As she lifts her first major trophy, Kim sets her sights on a promising future, emboldened by this remarkable triumph.
