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Haeran Ryu beats Brooke Henderson in playoff to win Evian Championship for 2nd straight major title

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Haeran Ryu beats Brooke Henderson in playoff to win Evian Championship for 2nd straight major title
Sport

Sport

Haeran Ryu beats Brooke Henderson in playoff to win Evian Championship for 2nd straight major title

2026-07-12 23:54 Last Updated At:07-13 00:00

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — A second major title in a three-week stretch. The lowest round — an 11-under 60 — in an LPGA major.

It was quite the weekend for Haeran Ryu, the latest South Korean sensation in women’s golf.

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Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Brooke Henderson, of USA, plays on the 2nd hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Brooke Henderson, of USA, plays on the 2nd hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Brooke Henderson, of USA, plays on the 5th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Brooke Henderson, of USA, plays on the 5th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, plays on the 2nd hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, plays on the 2nd hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, plays on the 5th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, plays on the 5th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Ryu, the winner of the Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine on June 29, gave up a three-shot overnight lead, birdied No. 18 to make a playoff, and beat Brooke Henderson on the first extra hole to win the Evian Championship on Sunday.

“This," said the 25-year-old Ryu, drenched in Champagne and cradling the trophy in her left arm, “is just a dream right now.”

A day after rolling in nine birdies and an eagle to set the scoring record for women's majors, Ryu couldn't make a putt at Evian Golf Resort and found herself teeing off on the par-5 18th in a tie for the lead with Japanese golfer Aki Iwai and with Henderson — a two-time major winner and 2022 Evian champion — a shot back.

With Henderson hitting her second shot to 8 feet, Ryu needed to make birdie — her first of the day — from further out to ensure being in a playoff and a putt finally dropped to complete a level-par 71. Iwai missed her birdie putt to fall out of contention but Henderson curled in for eagle to take the championships to extra holes.

It was the third eagle of the round for Henderson, whose 64 included a hole-in-one at No. 8 after finding the middle of the green and seeing her ball roll all the way in.

Ryu and Henderson went back up No. 18 in separate golf carts. Ryu found the middle of the fairway, while Henderson drove left into the rough and had to lay up.

Ryu hit her second onto the green and left an eagle putt 3 feet short. That proved to be the distance needed for the win after Henderson could only make par, and Ryu made no mistake.

“It was so tough today because my putt always missed the cup,” Ryu said. "Just made the one birdie on the last hole.

“Before these three weeks," she added, "I didn’t have a major championship — now two in a row. I am so happy, I can’t believe it.”

For the first time in women's golf, there have been double major winners in the same year.

No. 1-ranked Nelly Korda won the first two of 2026 — the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open.

Henderson was looking to be the first repeat winner of the Evian Championship since it became women's golf's fifth major in 2013.

“Obviously very exciting to get into the playoff,” the 28-year-old Canadian said. “Wish I had played a little bit better, but Haeran has been playing great. Congrats to her.”

Iwai wept as she fell short of winning her first major title and becoming the fifth major champion from Japan since the start of 2024.

Still, third place was her best finish in a major.

“I got a little confidence," she said, fighting back tears. "I never give up.”

The year's final major — the Women's British Open — is at Royal Lytham & St. Annes starting July 30.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Brooke Henderson, of USA, plays on the 2nd hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Brooke Henderson, of USA, plays on the 2nd hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Brooke Henderson, of USA, plays on the 5th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Brooke Henderson, of USA, plays on the 5th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, plays on the 2nd hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, plays on the 2nd hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, plays on the 5th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, plays on the 5th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — There's another Bonds in the San Francisco Giants organization.

The Giants drafted Rutgers outfielder Peyton Bonds in the third round of the amateur draft on Saturday, putting him with the same franchise where uncle Barry Bonds and grandfather Bobby Bonds both starred for years.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Peyton Bonds hit .352 with six home runs and 13 stolen bases last season for Rutgers.

Barry Bonds set a major league record with 762 career home runs and won seven Most Valuable Player awards. Bobby and Barry Bonds are considered one of the greatest father-son combinations in baseball history.

There were plenty of family connections in the draft held this weekend in Philadelphia, the site of Tuesday night's All-Star Game.

The Miami Marlins selected shortstop Jacob Lombard with the No. 14 pick. Lombard is the son of Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr. and younger brother of top Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr.

The Milwaukee Brewers took high school shortstop Trey Ebel with the 25th pick. He is the brother of Brady Ebel, whom they drafted with the 32nd selection last year. Their father is Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel — expected to pitch to Phillies slugger Bryce Harper in the Home Run Derby on Monday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Rutgers outfielder Peyton Bonds (25) concentrates on the Purdue pitcher as he leads off first base during an NCAA baseball game on April 11, 2025, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, file)

FILE - Rutgers outfielder Peyton Bonds (25) concentrates on the Purdue pitcher as he leads off first base during an NCAA baseball game on April 11, 2025, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, file)

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