Leona Maguire makes hole-in-one on way to leading Evian Championship

Cavan star enjoys first ace of LPGA career at fourth women's major of the year

Leona Maguire celebrates hitting a hole in one on the second hole during round one of The Amundi Evian Championship in Evian-les-Bains. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Leona Maguire had an explosive start to the latest women’s major in France.

A hole in one on the second hole – her 11th on the day - helped the Cavan star to vault to top of the leaderboard in the first round of The Amundi Evian Championship, the fourth major tournament of the 2025 LPGA Tour season.

Maguire fired a 6-under 65 to put herself in the conversation early in France, highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-3 second at Evian Resort.

Andrea Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are also on six under along with Jennifer Kupcho and Grace Kim after all five players hit 65 in the first round.

She holed her tee shot from 164 yards with her 8-iron to record the first ace of her LPGA Tour career on one of the most iconic holes at this venue, a welcome delight at which the usually stoic 29-year-old couldn’t help but crack a smile.

“It was just taking a little bit off an 8-iron for me,” Maguire told lpga.com. “Looked good in the air. You're never sure on that hole until the ball actually lands. Sort of a perfect morning for it. Not much wind which is nice, especially on that tee box. Pretty good highlight to the day.

“The pin was sort of in this little back right bowl. You don't want to go over, but at the same time, it does land pretty soft hitting from like 30 yards down from there. Overall, it was just a really nice shot. Looked good all the way. Then nice to be able to walk down this hill without a putter in your hand.” 

Maguire is coming off an indifferent run of form, although she did make the cut at the KMPG Women’s Irish Open last week, finishing in a tie for 48th at Carton House. But she has previous form at Evian, as she fired a 61 on the final day of the 2021 edition of the major championship.

The Slieve Russell native was clearly pleased with her day-one effort, one on which she hopes to build as she pursues her third Tour title and first major victory.

“Just played really nice. Hit a lot of fairways. Hit a lot of greens. Gave myself some really good chances (on) 11, 12, 13 to start the day. Pretty stress-free as it can be around here,” Maguire said. “I always like it here. I think you have to be very patient, very accepting. You know you're not going to get a flat lie out there. You'll get some iffy bounces. Did a really good job staying patient. Hit what I thought was a perfect tee shot down six and ended up in a divot. You have to accept things like that.

“My hybrids were nicely dialed in today and that always helps. It was pretty much perfect conditions this morning. Nice to take advantage.” 

Minjee Lee is one shot away from the top, while defending champion Ayaka Furue sits joint seventh in the standings alongside world number one Nelly Korda after both scored 67 in the opening round, finishing on four under.

Fresh from her KPMG Women's Irish Open victory, English amateur Lottie Woad closed on three under along with her compatriot Cara Gainer.

Charley Hull had to withdraw after collapsing during her first round. The Englishwoman twice fell to the ground at the tee box of the fourth hole and was taken off the course on a stretcher by golf buggy after receiving medical treatment.

Hull was confirmed to be suffering from a virus, but was later eating on site and said to be "feeling better".