Haeran Ryu wins second straight major after playoff victory at Evian Championship

South Korea's Haeran Ryu captured her second consecutive major title after defeating Canada's Brooke Henderson in a playoff at the Amundi Evian Championship in France.

The 25-year-old held a three-shot lead over Aki Iwai heading into the final round but looked set to let the title slip after failing to make a birdie through her opening 17 holes.

Ryu finally delivered when it mattered most, rolling in a birdie from 12 feet at the par-5 18th to post 19-under-par and force Henderson to make her third eagle of the round, which she converted from six feet to send the tournament into extra holes. 

Iwai needed a birdie on the final hole but could only make par as the Japanese fell one shot shy of the playoff. 

Returning to the 18th, Ryu split the fairway and found the green before calmly two-putting for another birdie to secure the win on the first extra hole and add the Evian Championship title to last month's KPMG Women's PGA Championship victory at Hazeltine. 

Ryu is now a two-time major champion and five-time LPGA winner. 

The South Korean fired the lowest round in major history on Saturday with a sensational 11-under 60, which saw her take a three-shot lead into the final round.

Sunday wasn't pretty for Ryu with a round of 71, but she held her nerve when it mattered most to get the job done. 

The triumph is even more remarkable given Ryu only recently returned from a six-week lay-off following a medical procedure.

"It was tough today because I putted poorly," said Ryu, who carded a level-par 71.

"But thankfully I made birdie on the last hole. That was important. I was nervous but made it, so very happy with the last two birdies."

Reflecting on winning back-to-back majors, she added: "This is just a dream. I didn't have a major and now have two in a row. I can't believe it right now."

Henderson began the final round seven shots behind Ryu but mounted a sensational charge with a brilliant seven-under 64.

The Canadian's remarkable round featured three eagles, including back-to-back eagles at the par-5 7th and the par-3 8th, where she made a spectacular hole-in-one. Henderson also eagled the closing hole to join Ryu at 19-under par and force a playoff.

However, Henderson's bid for a third career major title and second Evian Championship ended in heartbreak as Ryu responded with another birdie at the first extra hole to continue her stunning run of form.

"Yeah, it was a lot of fun out there," said Henderson. "I'm proud of the run I made. Congrats to Haeran. It was a lot of fun out there, but I'm pleased with how I played and it gives me a lot of confidence.

"Anytime you shoot seven-under par in the final round it gives you a big confidence boost. I started the day seven back, so it was cool."

Ryu becomes the second player this season to win consecutive majors after Nelly Korda won both the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open earlier in the year.

Korda, meanwhile, missed the cut in France — her first missed cut of the season.

Amundi Evian Championship Final Leaderboard

*Won in a playoff