South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim shot a record low major championship round of 61 at the 2014 Evian Championship.
Record breaker —
South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim shot a record low major championship round of 61 at the 2014 Evian Championship.
Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images
The fifth and final major tournament of the women's golf season is held this week in France, where Suzann Pettersen is defending her Evian Championship title. The Norwegian is in hot form, having finished in the top seven in her last five tournaments, including a tie for second at the British Open.
The Evian Championship —
The fifth and final major tournament of the women's golf season is held this week in France, where Suzann Pettersen is defending her Evian Championship title. The Norwegian is in hot form, having finished in the top seven in her last five tournaments, including a tie for second at the British Open.
Jean-Pierre Clatot/AFP/Getty Images)
The tournament was founded in 1994 -- originally named the Evian Masters -- but did not became the LPGA's fifth major until 2013, the same year it changed its title. It now has a prize purse of $3.25 million, second only behind the $4 million U.S. Open.
The Evian Championship —
The tournament was founded in 1994 -- originally named the Evian Masters -- but did not became the LPGA's fifth major until 2013, the same year it changed its title. It now has a prize purse of $3.25 million, second only behind the $4 million U.S. Open.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
The Evian Resort Golf Club's course, located in Evian-les-Bains, is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe, boasting stunning views over both Lake Geneva and the Alps.
The Evian Championship —
The Evian Resort Golf Club's course, located in Evian-les-Bains, is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe, boasting stunning views over both Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
It is one of the oldest courses in France. The Evian mineral water company bought a farm and land in 1904, before building a nine-hole golf course -- extended to 18 in 1922 -- with a view of the newly-renovated five-star Hotel Royal.
The Evian Championship —
It is one of the oldest courses in France. The Evian mineral water company bought a farm and land in 1904, before building a nine-hole golf course -- extended to 18 in 1922 -- with a view of the newly-renovated five-star Hotel Royal.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
As well as offering views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, the Evian course, which is perched at a height of 500 meters, also overlooks the Swiss city of Lausanne.
The Evian Championship —
As well as offering views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, the Evian course, which is perched at a height of 500 meters, also overlooks the Swiss city of Lausanne.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
It was completely re-landscaped between 1988 and 1990, while it was extended in 2003. In 2013, the course underwent a full renovation -- the biggest transformation in its history -- in preparation for the Evian Championship's bow as a major.
The Evian Championship —
It was completely re-landscaped between 1988 and 1990, while it was extended in 2003. In 2013, the course underwent a full renovation -- the biggest transformation in its history -- in preparation for the Evian Championship's bow as a major.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
World No. 1 Stacy Lewis will fancy her chances of victory this weekend. The American has racked up three wins as well as three top-10 placings in majors on the LPGA Tour this season.
The Evian Championship —
World No. 1 Stacy Lewis will fancy her chances of victory this weekend. The American has racked up three wins as well as three top-10 placings in majors on the LPGA Tour this season.
Warren Little/Getty Images
Third-ranked New Zealander Lydia Ko will be hoping to go one better than last year after finishing second, two shots behind Pettersen. Ko's preparation has been far from ideal, though, with the 17-year-old having had to undergo surgery on a wrist injury at the start of the month.
The Evian Championship —
Third-ranked New Zealander Lydia Ko will be hoping to go one better than last year after finishing second, two shots behind Pettersen. Ko's preparation has been far from ideal, though, with the 17-year-old having had to undergo surgery on a wrist injury at the start of the month.
Gareth Gay/Getty Images
World No. 2 Inbee Park will be looking for the sixth major of her career this week. The South Korean racked up an impressive three major wins last year, and could still end 2014 with two to her name, having already claimed the LPGA Championship last month.
The Evian Championship —
World No. 2 Inbee Park will be looking for the sixth major of her career this week. The South Korean racked up an impressive three major wins last year, and could still end 2014 with two to her name, having already claimed the LPGA Championship last month.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
There are two prizes up for grabs this week as the first winner of the Rolex Annika Major Award will be decided on Sunday, honoring the player with the best record in the five majors this season. In order to take home the trophy, a player must have won at least one of those majors.
The Evian Championship —
There are two prizes up for grabs this week as the first winner of the Rolex Annika Major Award will be decided on Sunday, honoring the player with the best record in the five majors this season. In order to take home the trophy, a player must have won at least one of those majors.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
U.S. Open champion Michelle Wie leads the standings ahead of Park and Kraft Nabisco champion Lexi Thompson. However Wie endured a difficult time Thursday after being forced to quit after just 13 holes.<br />
The Evian Championship —
U.S. Open champion Michelle Wie leads the standings ahead of Park and Kraft Nabisco champion Lexi Thompson. However Wie endured a difficult time Thursday after being forced to quit after just 13 holes.
Getty Images
Evian Championship: Stunning beauty and big bucks

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Story highlights

Hyo Joo Kim shot a record low major championship round of 61

South Korean beat previous record by one shot

19-year-old hit 10 birdies during opening round

Michelle Wie forced to quit with finger injury

CNN  — 

She’s just 19 but Hyo Joo Kim is already showing she’s ready for the big time after recording the lowest ever round at a major championship.

The South Korean star hit an astonishing 61 in the opening round of the Evian Championship on Thursday to break the previous women’s record by one-shot and the men’s best by two.

Kim led Australia’s Karrie Webb by four shots going into Friday’s action on the course where she finished fourth as an amateur two years ago.

Her round included 10 birdies as she surpassed the previous record set by Minea Blomqvist and Lorena Ochoa.

“I like hard courses, so I like it,” said Kim. “I felt comfortable.”

While Kim enjoyed a stellar day on the course, U.S Open champion Michelle Wie endured a difficult time after being forced to quit after just 13 holes.

Wie, who only returned to action last week after a month out with a finger injury, suffered a recurrence of the problem.

“I was out there and I knew I should have stopped earlier but I was having so much fun out there I wanted to keep playing.

“But it got to the point where it was too painful. So I just made the smart decision to not play.”