Haeran Ryu fired an 11-under 60 in the third round of the 2026 Evian Championship on July 11 to set the lowest round in women's major championship history and take a three-shot lead going into the final day [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The South Korean star carded nine birdies and an eagle on the par-4 sixth hole en route to her record-breaking round [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. She narrowly missed a 30-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole, settling for a birdie and nearly shooting a 59 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Ryu did not realize the significance of her score until she reviewed the round with her caddie on the last hole. "After the putt, I counted my score with my caddie... 'Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today.' It was so amazing. I’m so happy right now," she said [1]. It was Ryu's second major title attempt this season, having won the Women's PGA Championship two weeks earlier in June 2026 [1, 2, 4, 6]. She reflected, "I really wanted to get the major championships, but before I got that one it was so stressful. I can more enjoy golf right now" [2].
Ryu's 60 broke the previous LPGA major record of 61, shared by Leona Maguire, Jeung-eun Lee6, and Hyo Joo Kim, all of whom set the mark at the Evian Championship [1, 3, 5, 6]. The tournament is the fourth major of the 2026 women's golf season and is played on a par-71 course [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Japanese player Akie Iwai trails Ryu by three strokes after shooting a 65 in the third round. Iwai said, "Last year I missed the cut, and so I want revenge. Really optimistic for tomorrow. I just keep going" [1, 2, 3, 5]. Mao Saigo of Japan and Brooke Henderson of Canada are further behind with scores of 67 and 64, respectively [1, 2, 3, 5]. England's Lottie Woad, who led after the second round, slipped to tied sixth after shooting 72 (+1), nine shots behind Ryu [1, 2, 3, 5].
Ryu described the tricky par-4 sixth hole where she eagled: "That hole is a little tricky because little narrow and the green is little hilly. So that’s why I just want to make par on that hole... I hit 7-iron there and then it’s pretty good shot there. I just walking towards (the green) and it’s going in. So it was so happy and surprise there" [5]. She said about the potential major win, "That is amazing, amazing dream. So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day" [6].
Ryu's total after the third round stands at 19 under par. Her three-shot lead sets up a dramatic final round showdown at the Evian Championship.
