Twenty-Five Years of Rolex Grace on Evian’s Greens

The Amundi Evian Championship stands as one of the most revered fixtures in the women’s golfing calendar. As the only major championship held in continental Europe, it occupies a unique place in the sport’s landscape, combining elegance, athleticism and global prestige.

Since its establishment in 1994 and elevation to major status in 2013, the championship has embodied a balance of tradition and forward momentum, attracting the world’s finest talent to its breathtaking alpine setting.

From 10 to 13 July 2025, the tournament returns to the spectacular Evian Resort Golf Club in France, poised on the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the French Alps.

This year’s event marks a significant milestone, 25 years of partnership between Rolex and The Amundi Evian Championship.

Since 2000, Rolex has served as both Main Partner and Official Timekeeper, underscoring its long-standing commitment to the advancement of women’s golf.

That dedication began in 1980, when the Swiss watchmaker became an official partner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), a relationship that continues to shape the sport today.

As the penultimate major of the season, the 2025 edition gathers elite contenders from the Rolex Rankings, all seeking to join a distinguished list of champions. This year is also marked by significant anniversaries for two of Rolex’s most celebrated Testimonees.

It has been 25 years since Annika Sörenstam captured her first title at Evian, then known as the Evian Masters, in 2000. She returned just two years later to claim victory once again, delivering a stunning 19-under-par performance; the tournament’s lowest four-round total at the time.

These victories formed part of a legendary career that saw Sörenstam redefine excellence in the women’s game.

Reflecting on her experience, Sörenstam said:
“I have so many wonderful memories of Evian over the years. I remember it starting as a small Ladies European Tour event, then becoming part of the LPGA, and now a major. My fondest memory would be the eagle I made on the first playoff hole with Karrie Webb in 2000.”

The championship also marks a decade since Lydia Ko’s breakout major victory in 2015. At just 18 years old, Ko produced a scintillating final round of 63 to win by six strokes and become the youngest major champion in LPGA history; a defining moment in a career that continues to inspire.

Looking back, Ko shared:
“Winning The Amundi Evian Championship in 2015 was very special for me. It was only my second year on tour, and my last opportunity to become the youngest major champion. At every major, people were asking whether I could break the record, and by the final chance, it almost seemed out of reach. To achieve it and be part of this tournament’s growing tradition was incredibly exciting.”

Ko and Sörenstam are not the only Rolex Testimonees to have triumphed at Evian. Anna Nordqvist (2017) and Brooke Henderson (2022) have also lifted the trophy, adding their names to a roll of honour that reflects the calibre and international diversity of the tournament.

The Champions Course, originally opened in 1904, underwent a transformative renovation in 2013, elevating it to one of the most technically demanding layouts on tour.

With its undulating greens, narrow fairways and strategic water hazards, the course rewards precision and mental discipline, offering a fitting challenge for a major championship.

Beyond competition, the tournament is also a stage for meaningful social impact. Since 2019, The Prize for a Better Tomorrow presented by Rolex has been awarded during the championship.

This international accolade recognises individuals and organisations whose work embodies the shared values of excellence, generosity, continuity and inspiration.

The first recipient was Lorena Ochoa, honoured for her commitment to educational and social initiatives in Mexico through the Lorena Ochoa Golf Foundation.

Shortly after turning professional, Ochoa pledged support to a school for underprivileged children near Guadalajara, later expanding her efforts to deliver programmes that integrate golf with health, education and family-based development.

Most recently, the prize was awarded to the Roger Federer Foundation, which supports educational initiatives for disadvantaged children across Africa and Switzerland.

Founded over two decades ago by the 20-time Grand Slam® champion and Rolex Testimonee, the foundation has so far reached nearly 2.9 million children, using sport and education to foster inclusion and opportunity from an early age.

The Amundi Evian Championship is a celebration of global sporting excellence, set in a location of rare natural beauty, underpinned by a commitment to positive change.

With Rolex’s enduring partnership and the world’s finest players in attendance, it continues to be a defining chapter in the evolving narrative of women’s golf.