Haeran Ryu shot an 11-under 60 on Saturday at the Evian Championship, shattering the LPGA major scoring record and seizing a commanding three-shot lead heading into Sunday's final round. The South Korean golfer's explosive performance at Evian Golf Resort in Evian-les-Bains, France also established a new 54-hole record for the tournament at 18-under 194.
The achievement comes just two weeks after Ryu won her first major championship at the Women's PGA Championship. She's now positioned to become a back-to-back major winner—a rare feat that would place her in elite company.
Ryu's round featured nine birdies and an eagle, including four birdies in her final five holes. She came tantalizingly close to matching the LPGA's all-time scoring record of 59, but settled for a lengthy two-putt birdie on the 18th hole. "After the putt and I counted my score with my caddie," Ryu said, "Oh my God, it's 11-under par today. It was so amazing."
Her 60 broke by one shot the previous LPGA major record, which had stood since 2021. Leona Maguire and Jeung-eun Lee6 shot 61 in 2021, while Hyo Joo Kim accomplished the same feat in 2014, also at Evian. The Evian Championship itself became an LPGA major in 2013.
The Scorecard
Ryu's eagle came on the par-4 sixth hole, where she holed out from 155 yards with a 7-iron. "That hole is a little tricky because it's narrow and the green is a little hilly," she explained. "I just want to make par on that hole. I hit 7-iron there and then it's a pretty good shot. I was just walking towards the green and it's going in. So I was very happy and surprised there."
She picked up birdies on both par 3s on the front nine, demonstrating the kind of aggressive, efficient play that separates champions from contenders.
The Competition
Aki Iwai of Japan trails by three shots after shooting 65. Brooke Henderson sits seven shots back following a 64, while Mao Saigo of Japan is also seven shots behind after posting 67. Lottie Woad of England, who held the lead entering Saturday's round, fell nine shots off the pace after shooting 72.
Iwai struck a determined tone despite the deficit. "Last year I missed the cut, and so I want revenge," she said. "Really optimistic tomorrow. I just keep going."
Historically, the odds favor Ryu's position. Of the three previous players to shoot 61 at Evian, only Hyo Joo Kim went on to win the championship. Still, Ryu acknowledged the challenge ahead. "Aki is a pretty good player and everybody is so good player," she said. "We have one more day."
The Journey Back
Ryu's path to this moment included a minor setback. She underwent minor back surgery following a runner-up finish at the Kroger Queen City Championship, then returned just over a month later to capture the Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine.
A second major victory this year would place her alongside Nelly Korda, who notably missed the cut at Evian, as a double major winner in 2026. "That is an amazing, amazing dream," Ryu said. "I just want that one to come true."
Notably, the men's major scoring record remains lower. Branden Grace shot 62 at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, while Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler matched that score at the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. Schauffele and Shane Lowry also shot 62 at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Why This Matters:
Ryu's record-setting performance demonstrates the competitive excellence now defining women's professional golf. Her 60 represents not just a personal achievement but a benchmark that raises the bar for the entire field. The three-shot lead she's built provides a substantial cushion, though golf's inherent unpredictability means nothing is decided until the final putt drops. Her ability to recover from surgery and immediately contend at the sport's highest level underscores both individual resilience and the depth of talent in professional women's golf. The tournament's outcome will have implications for how the 2026 major championship season is remembered, particularly given the elite company Ryu would join with a second consecutive victory.