American sinks six birdies to finish 14-under in her triumph in Surrey
14 August 2023 - 15:48
byAgency Staff
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Lilia Vu celebrates on the 18th green after winning the Women's Open at Walton Heath Golf Club on August 13 in Tadworth, England. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images
American Lilia Vu left English hope and fellow overnight leader Charley Hull trailing in the dust as she won the Women’s British Open by six strokes to lift her second Major and pocket a record winner’s cheque of $1.35m on Sunday.
Vu sank six birdies which were offset by a bogey on the 15th but she was well in control as she finished at 14-under overall to win at the Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England four months after claiming the Chevron Championship.
“It sounds almost unreal,” Vu said. “It just comes down to not thinking about winning, playing one shot at a time. This golf course really forces you to do that, it really tests you. That was my only goal.”
By the time both golfers reached the 18th, Vu had a comfortable lead and easily found the fairway and green to finish with a birdie while Hull made par with a long putt despite initially finding the bunker.
The 25-year-old Vu was barely given enough time to take in the moment amid applause before she was soaked in champagne by her friends, who promptly emptied the bottle over her head.
Hull had raised hopes of a first home winner since Georgia Hall’s victory in 2018 when she signed for 68 on Saturday, but an eagle on the 11th was not enough as she made four bogeys and just one birdie to finish with a final round of 73.
Vu praised the Briton’s performance, saying: “I love playing with Charley. She’s so fun to watch. She’s so great, so nice and a really great golfer — you guys watch out for her!”
South Korea’s Jiyai Shin was a further shot back in third, while her compatriots Kim Hyo-joo (74) and Amy Yang (70) shared fourth spot on six-under par.
World No 1 Nelly Korda finished tied 11th with Frenchwoman Celine Boutier, who won the Women’s Scottish Open and Evian Championship in recent weeks, carding an error-free round of 68 to finish on one-under par.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Vu prevails over Hull to win Women’s British Open
American sinks six birdies to finish 14-under in her triumph in Surrey
American Lilia Vu left English hope and fellow overnight leader Charley Hull trailing in the dust as she won the Women’s British Open by six strokes to lift her second Major and pocket a record winner’s cheque of $1.35m on Sunday.
Vu sank six birdies which were offset by a bogey on the 15th but she was well in control as she finished at 14-under overall to win at the Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England four months after claiming the Chevron Championship.
“It sounds almost unreal,” Vu said. “It just comes down to not thinking about winning, playing one shot at a time. This golf course really forces you to do that, it really tests you. That was my only goal.”
By the time both golfers reached the 18th, Vu had a comfortable lead and easily found the fairway and green to finish with a birdie while Hull made par with a long putt despite initially finding the bunker.
The 25-year-old Vu was barely given enough time to take in the moment amid applause before she was soaked in champagne by her friends, who promptly emptied the bottle over her head.
Hull had raised hopes of a first home winner since Georgia Hall’s victory in 2018 when she signed for 68 on Saturday, but an eagle on the 11th was not enough as she made four bogeys and just one birdie to finish with a final round of 73.
Vu praised the Briton’s performance, saying: “I love playing with Charley. She’s so fun to watch. She’s so great, so nice and a really great golfer — you guys watch out for her!”
South Korea’s Jiyai Shin was a further shot back in third, while her compatriots Kim Hyo-joo (74) and Amy Yang (70) shared fourth spot on six-under par.
World No 1 Nelly Korda finished tied 11th with Frenchwoman Celine Boutier, who won the Women’s Scottish Open and Evian Championship in recent weeks, carding an error-free round of 68 to finish on one-under par.
Reuters
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