Five Players Tied for Lead After Evian Opening Round

It appears that 65, 6-under par, was the magic number during Thursday's opening round of the 2025 Evian Championship. Five players are tied at the top, including Gabi Ruffels, her fellow Aussie Grace Kim, major champion and recent LPGA winner Jennifer Kupcho, Andrea Lee and Leona Maguire—who had a little boost up the leaderboard due to an ace she made on the par 3 second hole.

As for Ruffels, this is only her second start at the Amundi Evian Championship. Last year she finished T55, flash forward to this season—she carded a bogey free 65 to put her in great shape marking the first time in her career leading or co-leading after any round. This was also her second-lowest round of her LPGA Tour career—her lowest (64) came at the 2024 Ford Championship.

Ruffels major prep looked a touch different this time around, as the 2019 U.S. Women's Amateur winner indulged on some berries and cream at Wimbledon before making the trek to Évian-les-Bains.

"I took Dow [Championship] off so I had a week and a half at home," Ruffels shared after her round. "Went to Wimbledon, so that was part of my preparation. Had a couple days off in London which was great to get over the jet lag as well and, yeah, just keep me relaxed and have fun.

Came here on Sunday, and, yeah, just kind of Monday through Wednesday normal prep. Yeah, it's worked well so far."

RELATED: Amari Avery Is Making Moves—With Gabi Ruffels' Clubs

Meanwhile, other familiar names have also played themselves into contention.

Minjee Lee, winner of last month's KPMG Women's PGA, sits solo just one shot back at 5-under while world No. 1 Nelly Korda has a share of seventh at 4-under.

The Korda sisters gave us some classic sibling banter when big sister Jess interviewed Nelly after her opening 67. "I was to ask as well if it makes you nervous that I'm commentating on your group. You did almost hit me a couple times when you missed fairways today," said the older Korda sister.

The world No. 1 clapped back, "Maybe you should have stayed in the fairway and I would've hit you. [Laughs.] No, I love having you out there. It's nice. It's like a little comfort blanket to have you out there. Hopefully I have you for the rest of the week."

Ah, sisters. You have to love it.