‘That’s Just Crazy To Me’ - Lilia Vu On Becoming New World No.1
The 23-year-old will overtake fellow American Nelly Korda following her six-shot win over Charley Hull at Walton Heath
With the women’s Major season coming to an end, there is a new name atop the Rolex women’s world rankings after Lilia Vu stormed to a six-shot victory at the AIG Women’s Open.
Vu shared the overnight lead with home favourite Charley Hull but fired the low round of the day to clinch the win in comprehensive fashion at Walton Heath Golf Club.
The victory marks her second Major championship triumph of the season after capturing the Chevron Championship in April. Combined with her maiden LPGA Tour title at the Honda LPGA Thailand back in February, Vu is now projected to overtake fellow American Nelly Korda and become World No. 1 for the first time.
“Being the best in the world, that's just crazy to me,” Vu said speaking after her Women’s Open victory. “Just thinking about the struggle I had this year and just to come out with that has been - it's just incredible.”
This year, as with her entire career, has not been entirely plain sailing for Vu. Having broken her Major championship duck at the Chevron, the 25-year-old then missed the cut in four of her next five events. That run included a torrid performance at the US Women’s Open where she shot rounds of 79 and 82 to miss the cut by eleven strokes.
“It's just been a crazy year for me, just doing pretty well at the beginning of the season and just hit a lull in the middle, just struggling,” Vu reflected.
“I was still just getting out the scar tissue from the U.S. Open and just playing so horribly there, and just not feeling like myself. I thought the Chevron and winning in Honda and Thailand, that was going to be it for me for my career.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Her transformation also marks a remarkable comeback after a nightmare rookie season in 2019 which saw her make just one cut in nine events. She would eventually lose her LPGA Tour card and at one point considered retirement after her troubles continued on the Symestra Tour.
“I went back down to Symetra Tour and I couldn't even contend there,” she said.
“I was almost dead last at every event. I wanted to put the clubs away and maybe do something else, but my mom, she always told me I was good enough have to compete out here and be the best. She's really my rock and the reason why I'm here.”
Three victories on the development tour the following year in 2021 would eventually see Vu regain her LPGA Tour status. After a solid season last year, Vu has now broken through, fulfilling her amateur potential and cementing herself as one of the game’s emerging stars.
Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
PGA Championship Field Finalized For Valhalla 2024
The PGA Championship has the largest field of all the Majors, with 156 players – here are the stars teeing it up at the Valhalla tournament
By Mike Hall Published
-
Myrtle Beach Classic Prize Money Payout 2024
A new tournament on the PGA Tour takes place at South Carolina’s Dunes Golf and Beach Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Nelly Korda Joins Tiger Woods In Exclusive Club After Impressing At 2024 Met Gala
The women's World No.1 was spotted at arguably the most prestigious fashion event on the planet days before she attempts to win a record sixth LPGA Tour title in a row
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Cognizant Founders Cup Prize Money Payout 2024
Jin Young Ko defends her title as players compete for a purse of $3m for the fourth successive year
By Mike Hall Published
-
Epson Tour Player Cards One Over Par Round Despite Septuple Bogey 11
Shuangshuang Fan had a moment to forget at the Casino Del Sol Golf Classic, with the 19-year-old carding a septuple bogey 11 at the par 4 fourth hole during her second round
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Making The Cut's Not Enough - LET Pro Details How Finishing Outside Of The Top-25 Can Actually See Players LOSE Money
Hannah Gregg has described how even making the cut can see her lose money for a tournament week due to the worrying lack of prize funds on the LET
By Paul Higham Published
-
JM Eagle LA Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
There’s a record purse for a regular-season LPGA Tour event at Wilshire Country Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Two-Time Major Runner-Up Amy Olson Announces Retirement Aged 31
The LPGA Tour pro, who has been on maternity leave since last year, made the announcement on social media
By Mike Hall Published
-
Angela Stanford’s Pursuit Of 100 Consecutive Majors Could End Painfully Short After Two Huge Blows
The 46-year-old had been hoping to make a 99th successive Major appearance at the US Women's Open, but a double blow means her options are slimmer than ever
By Mike Hall Published
-
Nelly Korda's Fifth Straight Win Helps NBC Record Most-Watched Chevron Championship In Over A Decade
There was a peak TV audience of almost two million on Sunday evening as Korda picked up the second Major of her career
By Jonny Leighfield Published