LPGA TOUR
Vu Wins Three-way Playoff At The Meijer LPGA Classic. Aussie Kim Runner Up
America’s Lilia Vu returned to the winner’s circle after winning a thrilling three-way playoff at the Meijer LPGA Classic. Vu, who was making her first start on the LPGA Tour since March, overcame compatriot Lexi Thompson and Australia’s Grace Kim at the third extra hole with a birdie.
Vu, a former world No. 1, produced rounds of 69, 70, 68 and 65 at Blythefield Country Club, Michigan, to reach 16-under. The 26-year-old fired a flawless 7-under during regulation play on Sunday to make the playoff. And, then posted birdies at each of the three playoff holes to seal the title. It was her fifth LPGA career title. Vu won four times during 2023.
Thompson and Kim shared runner up honours. Both players matched Vu with birdies at the first two extra holes. On May 28, Thompson announced she would retire at the end of the 2024 LPGA season. The 29-year-old, who was looking for her 12th LPGA title, carded a 4-under 68 final round. Kim, from Sydney, took a five-shot lead into the final round. The 23-year-old carded a 1-over 73 on Sunday to drop back into the playoff. Kim won her maiden LPGA Tour title at the 2023 Lotte Championship.
Notables to miss the weekend include world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Australia’s Minjee Lee.
The LPGA Tour moves to the state of Washington for next week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to be staged at Sahalee Country Club. China’s Ruoning Yin is the defending champion.
Final Scores
1. Lilia Vu -16
T2. Lexi Thompson -16
T2. Grace Kim -16
4. Ally Ewing -15
T5. Allisen Corpuz -14
T5. Narin An -14
Other Australians
T17. Hira Naveed -10
T17. Gabriela Ruffels -10
MC. Robyn Choi
MC. Minjee Lee
Image Credit: Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images
