GENEVA, Switzerland – As the only major held in continental Europe, The Amundi Evian Championship is a cornerstone of women’s golf. Established in 1994, it achieved major status in 2013, becoming the fifth women’s major championship.
Over the years, the tournament has built a rich history, blending tradition and innovation while upholding the sport’s enduring spirit.
This year’s edition marks 25 years of Rolex’s cherished relationship with the tournament, the brand having been a Main Partner and its Official Timekeeper since 2000. The Swiss watchmaker’s enduring commitment to women’s golf dates back to 1980, when Rolex became a partner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
Set between the serene shores of Lake Geneva and the foothills of the majestic Alps, France’s Evian Resort Golf Club provides a world-class stage for this prestigious event. Taking place from July 10-13, the season’s penultimate major championship gathers the world’s elite from the Rolex Rankings, all vying to add their name to the illustrious list of past champions.
This year marks several significant anniversaries for members of the Rolex family. It has been 25 years since Rolex Testimonee Annika Sörenstam claimed her first title at The Amundi Evian Championship in 2000 (then known as the Evian Masters). She went on to emphatically win the tournament again two years later, posting an impressive 19-under-par total, which at the time was the lowest four-round aggregate recorded in the event’s history.
These triumphs were among a long list of honors that established her reputation as one of golf’s greatest players, one who set a shining standard of excellence for generations to come.
Annika Sorenstam
Speaking on her fondness for the event, Rolex Testimonee Annika Sörenstam said: “I have so many wonderful memories of Evian over the years. I remember it started as a small Ladies European Tour event, then became an LPGA event, and today a major. I would say my fondest memory there is my eagle on our first playoff hole with Karrie Webb in 2000.”
It has also been 10 years since Rolex Testimonee Lydia Ko clinched her maiden major title at The Amundi Evian Championship in 2015 with a remarkable final-round 63, finishing at 16 under par and winning by six strokes. Aged just 18, Ko became the youngest major champion in LPGA Tour history, reinforcing her status as a generational talent and laying the foundations for a legacy that continues to inspire. Other members of the Rolex family to triumph at the visually stunning venue include Anna Nordqvist (2017) and Brooke Henderson (2022).
Reflecting on her victory 10 years ago, Lydia Ko said: “Winning The Amundi Evian Championship in 2015 was very special for me. It was only my second year on tour, and it was the last chance where I could be the youngest major champion. In every major championship I played, everyone was asking if I was going to break the record, so when you get to the final chance, you think that it is probably not going to happen. There’s obviously a lot of history there and that tournament specifically hasn’t been a major for very long, so to be part of that new tradition and history was really exciting.”
Lydia Ko
With a rich history dating back to 1904, The Champions Course on which The Amundi Evian Championship is played offers an exceptional golfing experience. A major renovation in 2013 transformed the course into one of the most challenging for even the most accomplished golfers. To succeed, players must perform with precision and concentration to navigate the undulating terrain, narrow fairways and strategically placed water hazards
Since 2019, The Prize for a Better Tomorrow presented by Rolex has been awarded during the tournament. The international prize celebrates initiatives that have significant societal impact and promote qualities shared by this women’s major championship and the Swiss watchmaker – excellence, generosity, continuity and inspiration. The award shines a light on the commitment of individuals and organizations who champion a charitable cause and take action to improve people’s lives.
The inaugural recipient was former World No. 1 and Rolex Testimonee Lorena Ochoa for the creation of her Lorena Ochoa Golf Foundation. The prize was awarded by fellow Testimonee Lindsey Vonn, one of the most successful Alpine skiers in the world, and rewarded the Mexican golfer for her involvement in the education of underprivileged children in her native country.
Shortly after turning professional in 2002, Ochoa pledged to provide financial support to a Mexican school for underprivileged children near Guadalajara. She then became involved in creating her own foundation whose mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with family-based health, education and inclusion programmes delivered through family golf activities.
Most recently, the prize was awarded to the Roger Federer Foundation, represented by the Rolex Testimonee and Swiss tennis legend. The organization, dedicated to the education of children in Africa and Switzerland, is committed to achieving inclusion through sport and aims to empower disadvantaged children to take control of their future by fully supporting them from a young age.
To date, nearly 2.9 million children have benefited from the program, which was launched more than 20 years ago by the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
