Jeeno Thitikul, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Anna Nordqvist and Annika Sörenstam represent different generations of champions united by golf, excellence and their connection with Rolex at one of the most prestigious majors in the world.

Women’s golf continues to move forward from one generation to the next, driven by players who not only win major titles but also inspire those who follow in their footsteps. That connection between past, present and future will once again take centre stage at The Amundi Evian Championship 2026, taking place from 9 to 12 July at the spectacular Evian Resort Golf Club in France.

Against the stunning backdrop of Lake Geneva and the French Alps, some of the greatest female golfers associated with Rolex have created defining moments in their careers.

Annika Sörenstam, Lydia Ko, Anna Nordqvist and Brooke Henderson all know what it means to lift the trophy at Evian. Now Jeeno Thitikul is aiming to join that exclusive group and claim the first major title of her career after coming agonisingly close to victory last year.

Rolex, the Official Timekeeper and a Major Partner of the championship since 2000, has accompanied these players on journeys defined by precision, perseverance and the constant pursuit of excellence.

Jeeno Thitikul leads the new generation

Jeeno Thitikul returns to The Amundi Evian Championship with extra motivation. The 23-year-old Thai star finished runner-up after a dramatic play-off last year and now has another opportunity to win her first major championship.

For Thitikul, Evian is much more than another tournament.

“I would say that the Evian Resort Golf Club is my favourite course. The setting is amazing with beautiful views. It is also really challenging due to the hilly terrain, which makes it fun to play and a real test of your ability. I love playing there,” she said.

Thitikul’s career has been defined by remarkable achievements from an early age. At 14, she became the youngest player in history to win a professional golf tournament and has since established herself as one of the leading stars in the women’s game.

On her journey to the top, she has found a special role model in Lydia Ko, whom she often describes as an older sister.

“The player that I always look up to is Lydia Ko. The things that I like about her are obviously inside the course, but outside the golf course she seems happy all the time as well. Everything she has done for the tour matters more than what she has just achieved on the course,” Thitikul said.

Lydia Ko, the record-breaking Evian champion

The relationship between Jeeno Thitikul and Lydia Ko reflects the way values, experience and inspiration are passed from one generation of women golfers to the next.

Ko made history at The Amundi Evian Championship in 2015 when, at just 18 years old, she became the youngest major winner, male or female.

The New Zealander has maintained a special connection with the tournament and the local community ever since.

“It is such a beautiful place, overlooking Lake Geneva. When you go back to a place that you have played so frequently, you get to know the spectators as well. There is a little girl who comes with her parents and has often watched me at The Amundi Evian Championship. You really get to know the community,” Ko explained.

Representing Rolex also brings extra motivation for the former champion.

“It is great to be able to represent a brand that truly believes in not just the present, but also the growth of the game. Especially at The Amundi Evian Championship, where Rolex has a huge presence and storied history, I feel like I want to do them proud because they are there.”

Ko also highlights the importance of precision at the highest level of golf.

“As I have got older and become more invested in my sport, I have come to realise how important precision is. People say golf is a game of inches, but I truly think that does make a difference. All those precise moments create excellence at the top level.”

Brooke Henderson and the pride of joining Evian’s champions

Brooke Henderson joined the list of Evian champions in 2022, when she claimed the second major title of her career.

“This championship has always been one that I enjoyed, but it became so much more special after 2022. Winning my second major championship and lifting the trophy was such an amazing moment and one that I will always remember,” Henderson said.

The Canadian also highlights the influence of other members of the Rolex family.

“Annika Sörenstam, Lydia Ko and Anna Nordqvist have all inspired me to develop my game and strive for excellence. It is a real honour to be part of the Rolex family alongside them. To join them as a past champion and have my name inscribed on the trophy alongside theirs was truly incredible.”

This connection between players from different generations has become one of the defining elements of Rolex’s presence in women’s golf.

Anna Nordqvist embraces the major challenge

Anna Nordqvist won The Amundi Evian Championship in 2017 and remembers the victory as one of the defining moments of her career.

“Winning a major on European soil was very special. With all the history associated with The Amundi Evian Championship, the stunning views, the amazing atmosphere and how well run it is, it was an unforgettable moment. It was a tournament I used to watch every summer growing up, so having your name etched on the trophy is so special.”

The Swedish star admits that major championships bring out the best in her game.

“I love the challenge of the majors. I feel like the tougher the challenge is, the better I play. These are the moments that I live for.”

Annika Sörenstam, the pioneer who paved the way

Before Ko, Nordqvist and Henderson lifted the trophy, Annika Sörenstam had already left her mark at Evian with victories in 2000 and 2002.

The Swedish legend knows the demands of a course where precision is more important than power.

“The Amundi Evian Championship course requires great technical skill and control over your game. It is less about power and more about accuracy, as the fairways are quite undulating.”

Sörenstam also highlights the role Rolex has played in the development of women’s golf.

“Rolex has constantly supported all areas of golf, including both amateurs and professionals. This has resulted in the creation of a unique longevity in the sport. Rolex has especially elevated the women’s game, something that has been extremely important for our sport.”

A women’s major that connects generations

First played in 1994, The Amundi Evian Championship became the fifth women’s major in 2013 and has since established itself as one of the leading events on the international golf calendar.

The Champions Course provides a unique challenge with its demanding elevation changes between tees, fairways and greens. The sporting test is matched by one of the most spectacular settings in world golf, overlooking Lake Geneva and the French Alps.

The 2026 edition will once again bring together some of the world’s best female golfers. Alongside Thitikul, Ko, Henderson and Nordqvist, the field will also feature other leading Rolex Testimonees, including Ruoning Yin.

The winner will lift a trophy featuring an elegant female figure that symbolises the strength, grace and beauty of the women’s game. Its dynamic movement reflects both the motion of a golf swing and the flowing landscape of Evian Resort Golf Club.

Rolex champions at The Amundi Evian Championship

Several Rolex Testimonees have lifted the trophy throughout the tournament’s history:

• Annika Sörenstam: 2000 and 2002.
• Lydia Ko: 2015.
• Anna Nordqvist: 2017.
• Brooke Henderson: 2022.

Now, Jeeno Thitikul is looking to add her name to that list and continue a story that connects generations of great women golfers.

Since 1967, Rolex has supported the world of golf, standing alongside leading players, organisations and tournaments at every level of the game. Its relationship with The Amundi Evian Championship began in 2000 and has become one of the brand’s strongest connections with women’s golf.

At Evian, that legacy takes on a special meaning. Champions of the past inspire the stars of today, while a new generation continues along the path paved by those who came before.

They are all connected by the same ambition: the pursuit of excellence on and off the golf course.