Grace Kim’s first major win will go down as one of the greatest heists in golf history after the 24-year-old Australian played not one but two miracle shots to win the Evian Championship in France at the second play-off hole.
Kim teed off on the final hole with the tournament out of her reach. She was two shots off the lead behind her playing partner and friend Jeeno Thitikul and seemed resigned to finishing equal third.
Grace Kim is sprayed with champagne by fellow Australian Minjee Lee.Credit: Getty Images
However, Kim’s second shot on the par five 18th threw all those expectations out the door as she only needed a tap-in for an eagle to tie with Thitikul, who then needed a birdie to claim victory.
Kim made eagle and was suddenly in a play-off against Thitikul, who could not make birdie after laying up her second shot in the expectation she would only need to make par to win.
The pair went back to the 18th tee for the play-off with Kim almost surprised to be there after her eagle. It looked to be a momentary stay of proceedings when Kim’s second shot at the first play-off went way right and out of bounds. Forced to take a drop, Kim was playing her fourth shot from off the green and needing to chip in to make birdie and stay in the tournament.
The look on Kim’s face made it obvious she didn’t like her chances of making a second miracle shot within 15 minutes. She chipped in hope and the ball rolled in for birdie as a disbelieving Thitikul looked on from beside the green. Thitikul gathered herself to make birdie and force a second play-off hole but it was to be Kim’s day.
The Sydneysider didn’t waver, making another eagle to become the fifth female Australian golfer to win a major championship just a fortnight after Lee won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
Kim said she decided she had nothing to lose after falling off the pace when she made a double bogey on the 12th hole.
