Ayaka Furue won the first Major title of her career on Sunday after an eagle at the 72nd hole gave the Japanese player a one-stroke victory in the Amundi Evian Championship.
Furue sealed her greatest achievement on 19-under following a closing 65 at Evian Resort - a round which was capped by a run of five-under through her closing five holes when she was three back.
After starting with three consecutive birdies from the 14th, Furue eventually burst past eventual runner-up, Stephanie Kyriacou to clinch a dramatic success.
The young Australian was in pole position to land her own first Major championship with just a couple of holes to play, only for a costly chunked chip near the 17th green to drag her back into the pack heading down the last.
With three players - including clubhouse leader Patty Tavatanakit, who had made an eagle on the last herself - on 17-under as the sun set on a superb event, a wayward drive from Kyriacou allowed the 2022 Women's Scottish Open winner to charge through the opening and roll home a mid-range putt for eagle.
Ayaka Furue with the 2022 Women's Scottish Open trophy
Kyriacou managed a birdie, regardless, but it was not enough to force a playoff and the Japanese woman continued her country's success in Majors this year - following on from Yuka Saso at the US Women's Open last month.
Immediately after her victory, 24-year-old Furue said: "Breathtaking, like incredible and I'm so speechless. I didn't believe that I can get the major win so I'm so happy right now."
Furue - who was World No.21 before the Evian Championship - began Sunday just a shot behind overnight leader Kyriacou and was involved, along with several other players, in a brilliantly-entertaining battle at Evian Resort Golf Club.
With momentum difficult to find despite decent scoring in south-east France, Furue revealed she was required to "use The Force" in order to pull her best golf out.
The self-confessed new Star Wars fan said: "I became a Star Wars fan like a month ago, and then I love the sentence, 'may The Force be with you.'
A major champion with a pretty major comeback!@kodebuchanayaka earns her second LPGA title with a win at the @EvianChamp 🏆FULL LEADERBOARD ⬇️ https://t.co/u9TKje2LDlJuly 14, 2024
"Then I believe that sentence on 15th hole. I just -- the sentence came up in my mind and I was just keep going on with that quote, yeah."
Furue became the fourth Japanese woman to win a Major following on from Hisako Higuchi at the 1977 LPGA Championship, Hinako Shibuno at the 2019 AIG Women's Open, and Saso at this year's Women's US Open.
The fifth and final women's Major of the season is the AIG Women's Open which takes place at St Andrews between 21-25 August.
-
Who Are The Leading Women's Major Winners?We look at the women who have landed the most Major titles in the history of the game
-
LIV Golf Promotions Full Field, Format And What You Need To KnowAhead of this week's LIV Golf Promotions at Riyadh Golf Club, the full field has been confirmed - and several notable names have been included...
-
Grant Thornton Invitational Odds, Picks And PredictionsThe mixed pairs event returns for another year, with 32 of the biggest names from both the PGA and LPGA Tour circuits featuring once again
-
Nelly Korda One Of Three Golfers In Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2024 As Tennis Continues To DominateKorda topped the total earnings for a female golfer in 2024, but one of her rivals picked up more money from on-course achievements...
-
‘Every Time I Would Think About It Or I'd Have Them Conversations, I Would Get A Little Bit Upset' - Amy Boulden Opens Up On Retirement DecisionAmy Boulden officially retired from pro golf recently but shared that she is not completely closed off to the idea of making tour starts again one day...
-
'The Greatest Achievement I’ve Earned In My Life Taken From Me” - Transgender Golfer Hailey Davidson Responds To LPGA BanTransgender golfer Hailey Davidson has responded to being banned by the LPGA with several posts on social media crtitcizing the decision
-
'I'd Rather Fail At Golf Than Motherhood' - Why Amy Olson Retired Around 30 (And Many Of Her Peers Have Done The Same)Former LPGA Tour pro Amy Olson explains why female players are more likely to suffer from burnout at an earlier age than their male counterparts
-
Transgender Golfer Hailey Davidson Banned From LPGA After Gender Policy UpdateThe LPGA has updated a key policy meaning that from the 2025 season, athletes who transitioned following puberty will not be allowed to play in its competitions
-
LPGA Tour Final Qualifying - All The Details You Need To KnowIt's all to play for at Magnolia Grove Golf Course, as 25 players will earn LPGA Tour cards for 2025 in what promises to be an enthralling watch
-
Women In Golf Awards 2024 - Meet The WinnersThe third annual Women in Golf Awards recently took place at Surrey's Foxhills Golf and Country Club. Who were the winners?
