Australia’s Gabi Ruffels has surged to the forefront of the Evian Championship, entering the final round as co-leader alongside England’s Cara Gainer. Ruffels, ranked 71st in the world, delivered an impressive 5-under-par 66, positioning herself at 11-under at the prestigious Evian Resort Club in France. This places her a stroke ahead of fellow Australians Grace Kim and Minjee Lee, who are both in contention.
Ruffels began her third round with a bogey but quickly recovered, showcasing her skill with six birdies, including a remarkable stretch of four birdies in the last eight holes. Meanwhile, Gainer’s 7-under 64 was the second-best performance of the afternoon, matching Ruffels at the top of the leaderboard.
Strong Performances from Australian Contenders
Grace Kim and Minjee Lee are both tied for third place at 10-under, part of a four-way tie that includes Thailand’s world number two Jeeno Thitikul and South Korea’s Somi Lee. Minjee Lee, currently ranked sixth in the world, overcame a challenging second round to post a flawless 5-under 66, demonstrating her resilience with five birdies.
Kim, on the other hand, managed a 1-under 70, finishing with a birdie on her last hole. Their performances keep them within striking distance of the leaders as they head into the final round.
Minjee Lee’s Pursuit of History
Minjee Lee, a three-time major winner, is on the brink of making history by potentially becoming the first woman since Inbee Park in 2013 to win back-to-back majors. Lee’s recent victory at the Women’s PGA Championship in Texas has set the stage for this remarkable feat.
“Winning back-to-back majors is a rare achievement in golf, and Minjee’s current form suggests she has the capability to do it,” commented golf analyst Sarah Thompson.
Lee’s journey has been marked by a strong family influence, with her brother also a professional golfer. The siblings’ success highlights the growing prominence of Australian golfers on the international stage.
Ruffels’ Unique Path to Golf
Gabi Ruffels’ journey to the top of golf has been anything but conventional. Born in the United States and raised in Melbourne, Ruffels was initially a standout junior tennis player. She switched to golf at 14, a decision that has paid off with significant accolades, including winning the US Women’s Amateur in 2019.
Ruffels remains connected to her tennis roots, recently enjoying a break at Wimbledon as a guest of doubles legend Todd Woodbridge. “It was such a cool experience,” Ruffels shared. “It was great to relax and not touch the clubs for a few days and get over jet lag. Seems to have worked this week.”
Challenges for Other Competitors
While Ruffels, Lee, and Kim are in strong positions, world number one Nelly Korda has struggled to keep pace. A disappointing 4-over 75 in the latest round has left her 10 shots behind the leaders, effectively removing her from contention.
The final round promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Evian Championship, with Ruffels, Lee, and Kim all vying for the title. As the tournament draws to a close, the eyes of the golfing world will be on these talented Australians, each seeking to etch their name in the annals of golf history.
