Reto in pole position at Evian Champs

27 July 2023 – South African Paula Reto fired an opening round of seven-under-par 64 on Thursday to hold a two-shot advantage at the end of the first day of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.

The 33-year-old began her day from the 10th tee and made a bogey on hole 11 but immediately bounced back with a birdie on 12. Reto then rolled in a birdie on 15 before she really got into a rhythm with birdies on 18 and the first before three on the trot on holes five through seven.

The LPGA Tour winner finished with a flourish, rolling in a birdie on her last hole for a back nine of 30 (-5) and to lead with a total of seven-under-par.

“I had so much fun,” said Reto, who won the 2022 Canadian Women’s Open. “The views and everything, it’s just awesome to be here. I hit some good quality shots beginning of the round and just gave myself opportunities.

“One birdie dropped, and you try to do the same thing over and over and just put yourself in good spots on this golf course. On my second hole, I hit a good shot off the tee, it was just in the bunker. I hit a good shot again, it was just the ball came back and I three-putted.

“I said it’s okay, the next hole is pretty tough and just to get myself in the fairway and give myself an opportunity. When the birdie dropped and the next couple of par saves as well, so sometimes you just stay in it, and you just don’t give up.

“You know, you never know out here with this golf course. Anything is possible. You just got to give yourself the best opportunity to make par and birdie.”

Four players sit in a share of second place with France’s Celine Boutier, American Alison Lee, Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko all on five-under-par.

Ashleigh Buhai opened with a one-over-par 72 to be in a share of 64th.

South African Paula Reto fired an opening round of seven-under-par 64 on Thursday to hold a two-shot advantage at the end of the first day of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.

The 33-year-old began her day from the 10th tee and made a bogey on hole 11 but immediately bounced back with a birdie on 12. Reto then rolled in a birdie on 15 before she really got into a rhythm with birdies on 18 and the first before three on the trot on holes five through seven.

The LPGA Tour winner finished with a flourish, rolling in a birdie on her last hole for a back nine of 30 (-5) and to lead with a total of seven-under-par.

“I had so much fun,” said Reto, who won the 2022 Canadian Women’s Open. “The views and everything, it’s just awesome to be here. I hit some good quality shots beginning of the round and just gave myself opportunities.

“One birdie dropped, and you try to do the same thing over and over and just put yourself in good spots on this golf course. On my second hole, I hit a good shot off the tee, it was just in the bunker. I hit a good shot again, it was just the ball came back and I three-putted.

“I said it’s okay, the next hole is pretty tough and just to get myself in the fairway and give myself an opportunity. When the birdie dropped and the next couple of par saves as well, so sometimes you just stay in it, and you just don’t give up.

“You know, you never know out here with this golf course. Anything is possible. You just got to give yourself the best opportunity to make par and birdie.”

Four players sit in a share of second place with France’s Celine Boutier, American Alison Lee, Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko all on five-under-par.

Ashleigh Buhai opened with a one-over-par 72 to be in a share of 64th.