Aki Iwai shoots 63 for lead as Nelly Korda struggles in Evian Championship
ESPN Golf • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 9, 2026, 4:43 PM
Last updated Jul 9, 2026
Aki Iwai shot an impressive 8-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead in the first round of the Evian Championship on July 9, 2026. Iwai had eight birdies and no bogeys, finishing strong with three birdies in the last four holes. Perrine Delacour is in second place after a 6-under 65. Nelly Korda, the top-ranked player, faced difficulties, carding a 3-over 74 that left her 11 shots off the lead. Celine Boutier, last year's champion, also struggled with a triple bogey at the first hole and finished with a 5-over 76. The tournament marks the fourth women's major of the season, with a total prize fund of $9.1 million.
- •Iwai leads with 8-under 63 after strong finish.
- •Delacour trails by two strokes with 6-under 65.
- •Korda's 3-over 74 puts her 11 shots back.
- •Boutier finishes with 5-over 76 after early struggles.
- •Evian Championship features $9.1 million prize fund.
- 6:08 PMESPN Golf — Leader Iwai fires 63, Korda (74) falters at Evian
- 4:43 PMYahoo Sports — Aki Iwai leads and Nelly Korda struggles in first round at Evian women's major
"EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Aki Iwai shot an 8-under 63 for a two-stroke lead on Thursday in the first round of the Evian Championship, the fourth women’s golf major of the season, as top-ranked Nelly Korda struggled. The 24th-ranked Iwai had eight birdies and no dropped shots in the sun-splashed lakeside town that three weeks ago hosted the G7 summit of world leaders. Japan's Iwai made birdies at three of the last four holes, including the par-5 18th, and led by two shots from Perrine Delacour, whose 6-under 65 included an eagle at the par-5 15th and a pair of bogeys toward the end of her round.
"Aki Iwai shot an 8-under 63 for a two-stroke lead on Thursday in the first round of the Evian Championship, the fourth women's golf major of the season, as top-ranked Nelly Korda fell 11 shots back.
Sources
External links- ESPN GolfJul 9, 2026, 6:08 PMLeader Iwai fires 63, Korda (74) falters at Evian
Aki Iwai shot an 8-under 63 for a two-stroke lead on Thursday in the first round of the Evian Championship, the fourth women's golf major of the season, as top-ranked Nelly Korda fell 11 shots back.
- Yahoo SportsJul 9, 2026, 4:43 PMAki Iwai leads and Nelly Korda struggles in first round at Evian women's major
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Aki Iwai shot an 8-under 63 for a two-stroke lead on Thursday in the first round of the Evian Championship, the fourth women’s golf major of the season, as top-ranked Nelly Korda struggled. The 24th-ranked Iwai had eight birdies and no dropped shots in the sun-splashed lakeside town that three weeks ago hosted the G7 summit of world leaders. Japan's Iwai made birdies at three of the last four holes, including the par-5 18th, and led by two shots from Perrine Delacour, whose 6-under 65 included an eagle at the par-5 15th and a pair of bogeys toward the end of her round.
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