What happened at the Evian Championship?

It’s taken just over 18 years as a professional, but Angela Stanford is finally a major champion after capturing the Evian Championship on a thrilling final day at the Evian Resort.

Amy Olson began the day with a two-shot lead, and she seemed to cope with the pressure very well considering she was seeking her first professional win – that was until the very last hole.

But prior to that, it was anything but a stress-free round for Stanford. The 40-year-old went out in a one-under 34, but the back-nine was a complete roller-coaster.

She birdied the 10th and then failed to take advantage of the fairly easy par-5 13th.

But she produced a stunning eagle on the 15th, hitting her approach to the par-5 within 10ft and rolling in the putt.

All of a sudden, she was back in the tournament. Then, almost immediately, it seemed as though she had thrown it away.

Angela Stanford

Stanford pushed her approach into the par-3 16th into the heavy rough, chipped almost into the hazard, fluffed her third shot and managed to get up-and-down for a double bogey.

And then the 17th. Her approach found the back of the green but she was able to roll in a huge left-to-right breaking birdie putt to get to 12-under.

After her birdie putt on the last rolled agonisingly wide, and with Olson seemingly in control, it looked as though Stanford would come up short.

But then the nerves got to Olson. Standing on the 18th tee, the 26-year-old held a one-shot advantage and pulled her drive into the heavy rough.

Looking to lay up short of the water hazard, she failed to advance it out of the rough but produced a superb third shot into the middle of the green where she would face a lengthy putt for par and the win.

Olson raced her putt 5-feet by the hole, and her eventual putt for bogey – and to make a playoff with Stanford – came up short.

Sei Young Kim and Mo Martin had birdie chances on the 18th green which would have taken it to a playoff, but both missed.

And so it was Stanford’s three-under final-round of 68 that secured the win, but it’s fair to say it was far more topsy-turvy than the final score made it appear.

It’s taken 76 major starts, but she is finally a major champion.

Best quote

Angela Stanford: “I have no idea what just happened. I’m grateful. And so happy for everybody at home, everybody that’s all cheered for me and never gave up on me.

“I mean, God is funny. He catches you off guard just when you think that maybe you’re done. It’s amazing. I couldn’t have asked for it any other way. It’s not my plan, so it’s pretty cool.”

Best moments

Alex Perry

Editor

Alex is a Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.

Handicap: 14

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