Lilia Vu is as soon as once more the Rolex World No. 1 participant after returning to the winner’s circle for the fourth time this season.
The 26-year-old received in her first begin at The Annika pushed by Gainbridge on the Pelican Golf Membership with a remaining rating of 19-under. Vu defeated runner-ups Alison Lee and Azahara Munoz by three photographs.
After tying the LPGA 54-hole report, Emily Kristine Pedersen struggled Sunday, carding a 4-over 74 to complete T5.
Regardless of 4 victories this season, it by no means will get simpler.
“I feel every win of mine has had its personal battle, and I feel as we speak was once more myself… I suppose the wheels have been falling off early within the again 9,” Vu mentioned. “Then my caddie mentioned to me, ‘Hey, it doesn’t matter the place you hit it on the inexperienced; you can also make a putt from anyplace.’”
That was simply what Vu wanted to listen to.
“I feel that flipped my mindset. I used to be getting detrimental after which simply flipped a change and simply thought optimistic ideas, after which it simply all labored itself out.”
She signed for a final-round 66, giving her 4 rounds within the 60s. Vu went 67-66-62-66 on a difficult course. These tracks are when Vu shines the brightest and learns probably the most about herself.
“I do know I are usually onerous on myself,” she mentioned, smiling. “So long as I set myself type of simple, simply to be in competition on the weekend, then it type of simply by some means occurs.”
Vu acquired her time off to a powerful begin as she went 3-under by six holes with birdies on the third, 4th and sixth. Her lone bogey of the day got here on the par-3 twelfth, however that didn’t deter her.
The previous UCLA Bruin notched two extra birdies on 15 and 16 to complete at 4-under on the day.
“It’s mindset. I feel it’s all been mindset for me,” Vu mentioned. “I’m not a technical participant. I attempt to play the course the best way it’s given to me after which simply go from there. It’s not over till the 18th gap, so simply play each shot the best way you propose it.”
“The following shot might be one of the best shot you ever hit. And that’s a mindset I take into consideration on a regular basis. I feel that helps with calming the nerves and doing what’s in entrance of me and being the place my ft are.”
This victory may be credited partly to Texas Roadhouse and their steak.
On Friday evening, Vu and her caddie Cole Pensanti went to Texas Roadhouse. On Saturday, she fired off a 62.
She ate there once more Saturday evening, which prompted Vu to name it a “win dropped at you by Texas Steakhouse.”
She grew to become the primary golfer since Annika Sorenstam in 2005 to win two majors and play within the Solheim Cup the identical 12 months. Vu additionally clinched the Rolex Annika Main Award by profitable the AIG Girls’s Open and the Chevron Championship.
This honor acknowledges the participant who has probably the most excellent report in all 5 main championships in the course of the LPGA season.
She grew to become the second American to win this award because it started in 2014 when Michelle Wie West received it.
This victory added 500 Race to the CME Globe factors as she chips away at Celine Boutier’s lead. Vu sits second within the standings with 2,981.968 factors. She is simply 95 factors behind the Frenchwoman, who missed the reduce at The ANNIKA.
Each ladies have 4 wins on the season. Boutier has eight prime 10s, whereas Vu has six. Subsequent week in Naples on the CME Group Tour Championship can be attention-grabbing to observe.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You’ll be able to comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.
