The victory was Lilia Vu’s fourth this yr.
Getty Images
For the second time in her previous six begins (and fourth time this LPGA season), Lilia Vu discovered herself atop the leaderboard as soon as the closing putt had dropped, incomes a surprising victory at the Annika Driven by Gainbridge.
The 26-year-old Vu started Sunday three pictures again of chief Emily Kristine Pedersen, however began robust to depart the relaxation of the area in her mud, in the end ending at 4-under on the day, and ending at 19-under for the event.
The three-stroke win over Allison Lee additionally returns her to the high of the Rolex Rankings.
Vu acknowledged that her closing spherical was a bit drama-filled, however she rose above the stress thanks to some ideas from her caddie, Cole Pensanti.
“I think each win of mine has had its own battle, and I think today was again myself … I think the wheels were falling off early in the back nine,” Vu stated. “Then my caddie said to me, ‘Hey, it doesn’t matter where you hit it on the green; you can make a putt from anywhere.’”
With three birdies in six holes to open her spherical on Sunday, Vu established a tone that caught together with her the whole day, relentlessly hitting each shot she wanted to so as to draw back.
“I think that [pep talk from Pensanti] flipped my mindset,” she added. “I was getting negative and then just flipped a switch and just thought positive thoughts, and then it just all worked itself out.”
The victory at Pelican Golf Club is a vital one for Vu, and now locations her 27 factors forward of Celine Boutier in the Rolex Player of the Year race. With only one event left on the LPGA schedule — subsequent week’s CME Group Tour Championship — Vu’s win places her in prime place to earn the distinction.
Even if Boutier ought to win at the CME Group Tour Championship, Vu can nonetheless end inside the high 8 so as to seize LPGA Player of the Year honors.
If she manages that, Vu would turn into the first American to win the award since 2014 when Stacy Lewis did it.
For now, she’s centered on this weekend’s victory, leaning on little nuggets that she will be taught from as she enters subsequent week’s finale.
Lilia Vu, as soon as on high of the world, practically give up golf. Now she’s a serious champion
Zephyr Melton
“It’s mindset. I think it’s all been mindset for me,” Vu stated. “I’m not a technical participant. I try to play the course the approach it’s given to me after which simply go from there.
“The next shot could be the best shot you ever hit. And that’s a mindset I think about all the time. I think that helps with calming the nerves and doing what’s in front of me and being where my feet are.”
With her confidence beaming at the second, Vu seems prepared for her subsequent problem.
“I know I tend to be hard on myself,” Vu stated. “As long as I set myself kind of easy, just to be in contention on the weekend, then it kind of just somehow happens.”
Source link
