Lilia Vu, a 26-year-old American star, arrived at the 18th hole of the AIG Women’s Open with a slim chance to win her third major title. However, a brutal lip-out on a par putt cost her not only the championship but also a significant amount of prize money. Vu had started the week as the defending champion and one of the betting favorites after breaking out in 2023 with two major victories.
Throughout the final round of the tournament, Vu was in contention to defend her Open title and further solidify her place among golf’s elite. She started the day one shot behind the leader and ranked above her in the Rolex World Ranking, Nelly Korda. When Korda faltered with a double bogey on the 14th hole, Vu found herself tied for the lead with only a few holes left to play. However, Lydia Ko’s clutch performance on the final hole secured her the championship title.
Vu needed to make a birdie on her final two holes to force a playoff, but she was only able to save par on the 17th hole. With one last chance to keep her title hopes alive on the 18th hole, Vu left her mid-range birdie attempt a few feet short. Her subsequent par putt lipped out of the hole, resulting in a bogey that dropped her from solo-second into a four-way tie for second place.
The costly lip-out not only affected Vu’s chances of winning the championship but also had a significant impact on her earnings. Splitting the winnings with three other players cost Vu nearly $345,000, as her paycheck dropped from $939,026 to $594,759. This loss was greater than the earnings of the next player on the leaderboard, highlighting the financial implications of golf tournaments for professional players.
In contrast, Lydia Ko, who secured her third major title with a clutch performance, took home a substantial prize of $1.425 million. Despite the disappointment of losing the championship, Vu’s performance throughout the tournament showcased her talent and competitiveness in the sport. The AIG Women’s Open served as a platform for showcasing the skills of female golfers and highlighting the intense competition at the highest levels of the sport.
As the managing producer for GOLF.com, Kevin Cunningham oversees the publication of stories, newsletters, and innovative products for the golf audience. His coverage of the AIG Women’s Open highlighted the intense competition and financial implications of professional golf tournaments. The unfortunate lip-out on the final hole of the tournament serves as a reminder of the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in the world of golf.
