Amy Olson in prime position for first major at Evian Championship
Amy Olson, looking for not only her first major championship but also the first win of her LPGA career, will take two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship on Sunday.
Amy Olson already had a great view as one player ended a lengthy winless drought with a major championship this year. Now she hopes it’s her turn.
The 26-year-old American shot a second straight round of 65 on Saturday at the Evian Championship to take the lead into the final round at 14-under. Her round included an eagle at the par-five ninth and three more birdies on the back-nine to build up a two-shot advantage over Sei Young Kim.
Back in April, Olson played in the final pairing on Sunday at the ANA Inspiration. She saw first-hand how Pernilla Lindberg handled the pressure of not only winning her first major, but also her first LPGA Tour victory.
Olson shot 72 that Sunday to finish tied for ninth, her best result this year. In a great position to better that this week in France, she says the pressure of competing in major championships brings out the best in her game.
“I think the biggest thing I like about major championships is how it forces you to bring your best game,” she said after her round. “You can’t really fake it. You can’t get away with poor shots.”
Olson has made 102 starts without a win since turning pro in 2013. A prolific winner in college, where she set the NCAA record with 20 wins while at North Dakota State, she says the fact she hasn’t won yet in her pro career doesn’t bother her. Rather, her mindset has always been to keep playing her game and if that led to a win, so be it.
“Honestly, just staying patient and recognizing that, if my moment is going to come it’s going to come,” she said. “And if it doesn’t, honestly I’ll be okay.”
Two players, Lindberg and Georgia Hall, have already made a major their first LPGA victory so far this year.
In contrast to Olson, her closest competitor Kim already has plenty of success in her LPGA career. She has seven career victories, including setting the all-time scoring record at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic in July. But she has yet to achieve that major breakthrough. Kim has the most wins among active players without a major championship.
She shot a seven-under 64 on Saturday, including making four birdies in a span of six holes on the back-nine, to get into prime position to change that statistic.
“A big goal it is to win the major tournament,” Kim said. “I have seven wins but there is no major tournament. I wish I could win the major tournament, but I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Former Ricoh Women’s British Open champion Mo Martin is alone in third place, four shots behind Olson. Georgia Hall, the most recent major champion, and seven-time major winner Inbee Park are part of a group in fourth place, five shots behind.
With a plethora of talented players and major champions trying to chase her down, Olson admits she will feel nerves on Sunday but says that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“I’m sure I will. I think…that’s a really good thing. You just have to channel it and keep your focus, and not let yourself get ahead,” she said.
Olson, Kim and Martin tee off in the final group at 10:46 a.m. local time (4:46 a.m. EST).