LPGA TOUR

AIG Women's Open

Lilia Vu Captures Second Major at Women‚Äôs Open

Lilia Vu is enjoying a breakout LPGA Tour season. The 25-year-old American fired an impressive 5-under 67 final round at Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey, to win the AIG Women‚Äôs Open by a dominant six shots. The stunning win was the Californian‚Äôs third LPGA Tour win for this season and second major triumph. Vu won the Chevron Championship in April.

Vu began the final round in a share of the 54-hole lead with England‚Äôs Charley Hull. The world No. 6 got off to a fast start with a birdie at the second hole to assume the lead. From that point, Vu was in control of the coveted event producing birdies at the 9^th, 10^th and 12^th to forge a large lead moving into the final stretch of holes. The 2021 Symetra Tour Player of the Year erased a bogey at the 15^th with birdies at the 16^th and 18^th holes to reach 14-under. Vu became the first American to collect two majors in one season since Juli Inkster in 1999. She is projected to jump to world No. 1 in the Rolex Women‚Äôs World Golf Rankings. Vu banks the first prize cheque of US$1.35 million.

Hull claimed solo second place at 8-under. The 27-year-old was searching for her maiden major title. Hull, who owns three LET wins and two LPGA Tour victories, carded a 1-over 73 on Sunday. The world No. 16 got off to a sluggish start with back-to-back bogeys at the 3^rd and 4^th holes before scoring a sensational eagle at the 11^th hole. However, two late bogeys put an end to any thought of a challenge. It was her third runner up effort at a major championship.

Korea‚Äôs Jiyai Shin, aged 35, finished outright third at 7-under. The Tour veteran with two Women‚Äôs Opens to her name, signed for a 2-under 70 on Sunday.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda was 12 shots behind Vu at 2-under and in a tie for 11^th place,

Grace Kim and Minjee Lee and were the only Australians to qualify for the weekend. Kim produced steady rounds of 71, 72, 74 and 73 to finish at 2-over and in a tie for 36^th place. Lee lost ground on Sunday with a 5-over 77. The two-time major winner finished at 5-over and in a tie for 50^th place.

The LPGA Tour moves to Ireland for next week‚Äôs ISPS Handa World Invitational to be staged at Castlerock Golf Club. Sweden‚Äôs Maja Stark is the defending champion.