Not even a transatlantic flight or six-hour time difference can slow Ariya Jutanugarn. After winning the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational with sister Moriya on Sunday in Midland, Mich., the 12-time LPGA Tour champion maintained her championship form with a 4-under 67 in Thursday’s opening round of the Amundi Evian Championship.
Jutanugarn even capped the performance with an eagle on the par-5 9th.
“I hit 3-iron off the tee, thought it was a perfect shot. Then end up a bit left, not in the bunker, chipped and holed it,” said Jutanugarn, who hit 15 greens in regulation on Thursday. “I feel pretty good because I missed a lot of putts like all day, and I kept complaining to my caddie [Martin Bozek] about keep missing the putt. He was like, ‘Let’s make eagle’ and we end up making it.”
A bogey on No. 10, her first hole of the day, was the only blemish on the scorecard for Jutanugarn. It was enough of a sluggish start to leave her leaning on momentum from the team victory.
“I have really great memories of last week and still carry on this week because to me, it was very special to win with my sister,” Jutanugarn said. “When you get out here, you understand that you are going to have bad days or good commitment and are the player you want to be. I kind of understand that and of course from last week, always in my heart.”
Making her sixth career appearance in the Amundi Evian Championship, Jutanugarn has now carded six of 19 rounds in the 60s at Evian Resort Golf Club.
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