A close encounter with the biggest star in the women’s game has made Kelsey Bennett acutely aware that she is not in Mollymook anymore ahead of her major championship return in France.
The 26-year-old from the New South Wales South Coast plays in her first major in almost three years at this week’s The Amundi Evian Championship at the Evian Resort Golf Club, one of eight Aussies teeing it up in the fourth LPGA major of the year.
Now ranked 112 in the world on the back of a win and two runner-up finishes on the Ladies European Tour this season, Bennett is flying high, brought back down to earth somewhat as she registered for her first major since the 2023 AIG Women’s Open.
“I went to register and Nelly (Korda) was right next to me and I was like, Oh, sheesh,” said Bennett of her brush with the recent US Women’s Open champion.
“This is only my second major I’ve ever played and obviously my first time here at Evian. So it’s awesome.
“It’s just a whole other vibe to see all of the LPGA girls. It’s cool.”
It’s not only the American No.1 who has left an early impression on Bennett.
The Golf Australia Rookie Squad member caught up with four-time winner this year, Hannah Green, on the practice range and was inadvertently given a stark reminder of what it takes to win a major while having breakfast on Tuesday morning.
“I saw Grace (Kim) playing holes when I was having breakfast and I was like, That’s why she won it last year because I’m here eating food and she’s out there playing golf,” Bennett joked.
“I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to get up and go do something now.”
Bennett has already had a crack at replicating the extraordinary chip shot Kim holed at the first playoff hole 12 months ago in the lead-up to the Jabra Ladies Open de France at Evian just six weeks ago.
The Australian Women’s Classic champion would finish tied 18th that week, providing a handy level of familiarity as she seeks to showcase her game in even higher company.
“Obviously to be able to get that prep in not too long before this event’s game-changing, I reckon,” added Bennett, who led into the final round of last week’s Hulencourt Women’s Open in Belgium before finishing second.
“Yes, we play it a little bit longer and whatnot for this week, but it’s just getting used to the grass and the conditions and the heat and stuff. I think it’s great.”
The Amundi Evian Championship has been kind to Australians in recent years.
Kim produced one of the great finishes in major championship history to win last year, Stephanie Kyriacou was second in 2024 while Minjee Lee missed the playoff by one last year having won herself in 2021.
It is a rare double major championship week this week with nine Aussies and Kiwi Steven Alker backing up after last week’s US Senior Open at the Kaulig Companies Championship, while build-up to next week’s Open Championship heats up at the Genesis Scottish Open.
Five years since he announced himself on the world stage with victory at The Renaissance Club, Min Woo Lee heads an Aussie charge that also features Adam Scott, Cam Davis and Karl Vilips and Kiwi pair Ryan Fox and Daniel Hillier.
Round 1 tee times AEST
The Amundi Evian Championship
Evian Resort Golf Club, Evian-les-bains, France
4pm* Minjee Lee
5pm Kelsey Bennett
5pm* Robyn Choi
8:12pm Karis Davidson
8:24pm Gabriela Ruffels
8:36pm Lydia Ko (NZ)
8:48pm Grace Kim
9pm Hannah Green
9:12pm Cassie Porter
Recent champion: Grace Kim
Past Aussie winners: Rachel Hetherington (2001), Wendy Doolan (2004), Karrie Webb (2006), Minjee Lee (2021), Grace Kim (2025)
Prizemoney: $US9.1m
TV times: Live 8pm-2am Thursday, Friday on Fox Sports 503; Live 6pm-12am Saturday on Fox Sports 505; Live 6pm-12:30am Sunday on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo Sports.
