⚡ What a finish! Grace Kim pulled off one of the most incredible comebacks in major championship history, defeating world #2 Jeeno Thitikul in a heart-stopping playoff at the 2025 Evian Championship. The 24-year-old Australian, whose parents emigrated from Korea, pocketed a massive $1.2 million payday and became the fifth Aussie woman to capture a major title. Talk about making your mark on golf!
Australian Golfer Grace Kim Wins Evian Championship in Epic Playoff Battle
🏆 Meet The Champion
Grace Kim - The Breakthrough Star
🇦🇺 Country: Australia
🎂 Age: 24 years old
🌍 Heritage: Korean-Australian
📊 Pre-Event Ranking: 99th in the world
🏅 Major Titles: 1 (First career major!)
The Incredible Journey
✨ Started final round 4 shots behind
🎯 Eagle on 18th to force playoff
💥 Chip-in birdie on 1st playoff hole
🔥 Eagle putt to win on 2nd playoff hole
🎉 From unknown to major champion
⚡ Sunday's Incredible Drama
The Most Dramatic Finish Ever?
| Hole | Grace Kim | Running Total | Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15th Hole | 🎯 Birdie | -12 | 2 shots back |
| 16th Hole | 🎯 Birdie | -13 | 1 shot back |
| 18th Hole | 🦅 EAGLE! | -14 | PLAYOFF! |
"I honestly can't believe what just happened. When I saw that eagle putt drop on 18, I knew this was my moment. Dreams really do come true!" - Grace Kim
💰 Prize Money & Final Standings
💵 Total Tournament Purse
$8,000,000
Matching last year's record payout
⭐ Notable Performances
🚀 Top Finishers
T-5th (-12) - $365,644 each
Strong American representation in top 10
T-3rd (-13) - $523,761
Another Aussie in the top 3!
T-7th (-11) - $245,081
Solid European showing
😲 Surprises & Upsets
T-43rd (-1) - $34,390
Shocking performance from the world's best
T-3rd (-13) - LPGA Card earned!
Incredible amateur performance
Champion (-14) - $1.2M
From nowhere to major champion!
🌟 What This Victory Means for Grace Kim
💵 Financial Impact
- $1,200,000 winner's check
- 650 CME Globe points earned
- Massive sponsorship opportunities
- Endorsement deals incoming
- Financial security for years
🏆 Career Benefits
- 5-year major exemptions
- Full LPGA Tour status
- Automatic tournament entries
- Solheim Cup consideration
- Hall of Fame trajectory
🌍 Cultural Impact
- 5th Australian major champion
- Korean-Australian representation
- Inspiration for young golfers
- Global media attention
- Cultural bridge building
🎁 Special Perks
- Evian Resort lifetime access
- Trophy ceremony honors
- Global clinic invitations
- Media tour opportunities
- Legacy building platform
📊 Tournament Quick Facts
📅 Dates
July 10-13, 2025
🏌️ Field
73 made the cut
🎯 Winning Score
14-under par
🏆 Playoff
2 holes
📜 Making History
🔥 Record Breakers
- First Korean-Australian major winner
- Lowest-ranked winner (99th) in recent history
- 3rd straight first-time Evian champion
- 18th different LPGA winner in 2025
- Most dramatic finish in championship history
🌟 Championship Legacy
- Australian major champion #5
- No repeat winners on LPGA in 2025
- Amateur Lottie Woad earns tour card
- Thitikul remains winless in majors
- Korda's major championship drought continues
💭 Final Thoughts
"What we witnessed at Evian was pure magic. Grace Kim didn't just win a golf tournament – she gave us one of the greatest comebacks in major championship history. From four shots back to major champion in the space of four holes, this is the stuff legends are made of."
This victory transcends golf. A young woman of Korean heritage, representing Australia, defeating the world's best players on golf's biggest stage – it's a beautiful reminder that dreams know no boundaries. Grace Kim is no longer just a name on the leaderboard; she's a major champion, and her story is just beginning.
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