Grace Kim captured her first major championship at the Amundi Evian Championship by sinking an incredible eagle on the final hole to force a playoff. In the ensuing playoff, Kim secured victory with a birdie followed by another eagle, earning widespread acclaim including praise from Hank Haney, Tiger Woods‘ former swing coach, who highlighted the brilliance of her decisive shot.
The tournament concluded with Kim finishing 14-under par and earning $1.2 million from the $8 million prize fund. Jeeno Thitikul finished second after losing on the second playoff hole. Haney, known for his candid insights and his significant role in Tiger Woods’ career, reacted positively to Kim’s clutch performance on social media, remarking on the quality of her shot and the challenging course setup.
Hank Haney Highlights the Difficulty of Kim’s Winning Shot
Hank Haney shared his thoughts publicly after watching Grace Kim’s final hole at the Amundi Evian Championship. Reacting to the spectacular eagle that forced a playoff, Haney commented on the skill required, noting both the precision of the shot and the difficult pin placement on the green.
“First thing I thought was what a great shot, second thing I thought was how about that pin placement.”
—Hank Haney, Former Swing Coach to Tiger Woods
Haney’s remarks pointed to the high level of difficulty Kim overcame to force the playoff and then to persevere to win. His respect for Kim’s shot emphasized the exceptional composure and technique displayed under pressure, attributes that have defined his coaching philosophy during his time with Woods.
Grace Kim Reflects on the Importance of Her Breakthrough Victory
At the post-tournament press conference, Grace Kim described her major championship victory as a significant personal milestone, calling it a “massive tick” off her career goals. She detailed how this triumph helped overcome earlier doubts and waning motivation she faced during the season.
“Just a massive tick. Obviously, it’s a huge achievement for me. I’ve had a lot of doubts early this year. I was kind of losing motivation. I kind of had to get some hard conversations done with the team. Yeah, kind of had to wake up a little bit.”
—Grace Kim, Amundi Evian Championship Winner
Kim also revealed she was battling a cold during the tournament, which made her win feel even more surreal. Despite not feeling completely at her best physically, she committed fully to every shot and refused to let challenges stop her progress.
“So to be sitting here next to this trophy is definitely surreal. Obviously, caught a bit of a cold early this week as well, so I was kind of knowing that I wasn’t 100%. But, again, even if I’m 80% I’ll give my 100% of that 80. Yeah, there was no stopping me this week.”
—Grace Kim, Amundi Evian Championship Winner
Looking Ahead to the Scottish Open
With the Amundi Evian Championship victory now secured, Grace Kim’s next competition will be the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, set to begin on July 24. Her recent success places her among the top contenders, raising expectations for her continued rise in women’s golf.
Kim’s breakthrough at this major signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape, and with endorsements of her talent from respected figures like Hank Haney, her future tournaments will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike. The combination of her resilience, skill, and determination under pressure marks her as a rising star heading into the upcoming events.