25-year-old Lilia Vu created history by winning the latest edition of the AIG Women’s Open at Surrey. While she bagged lucrative prize money of $1,350,000, there was more in store for the two-time major champion.
A formidable Vu defeated the likes of Nelly Korda and others, the latter of whom held the top spot. But with her finish outside the top 10 at the British Open, her world crown has slipped out of reach.
In the race for the Rolex World Rankings, Lilia Vu has taken the lead, leaving Nelly Korda behind. The former secured the top position with a score of 8.28, accumulating 347.86 points over 42 events. Meanwhile, Korda trails in the second spot with a score of 7.81 and a total of 273.23 points from 34 events.
Lilia Vu’s journey to the top of women’s golf is truly astounding. She is the 17th player, and only the fourth American, to have topped the Rolex Rankings since they began in 2006. She has now joined the distinguished circle of golfing legends, among which include Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, and Korda, among others.
Moments After 2023 AIG Women’s Open, 2x Major Champion Lilia Vu Jeopardizes Nelly Korda’s Recent World Crown
It’s exciting to see two Americans at the top of the leaderboard, with Korda now in second place. Vu’s year in 2023 has seen her rise from sixth to the top position after winning the AIG Women’s Open.
She has won two majors and is the only American to do so in the same year since Juli Inkster in 1999. She also won the 2023 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, following in the footsteps of LPGA legend Michelle Wie West.
Vu’s major achievements in 2023
Vu mentioned after her victory at the AIG Women’s Open on her social media. “Being the best in the world, that’s just crazy to me,” she wrote, following her win in Surrey, “Just thinking about the struggle I had this year and just to come out with that has been – it’s just incredible.”
Vu won three LPGA Tour events in 2023, with her first victory coming at the Honda LPGA Thailand. She followed it up with her first major victory at the Chevron Championship and subsequently went on to win the AIG Women’s Open.
With her victories, Vu becomes only the third golfer since 1950 to begin the year with no major victories, but then go on to win multiple majors in the same year, following Se Ri Pak in 1998 and Meg Mallon in 1991.
