Lilia Vu produced a Sunday masterclass at Walton Heath to land the AIG Women’s Open and end the year as she started it – with a major victory.
The American kept her composure as fellow challengers faltered, compiling a near-faultless five-under 67 to finish on an imperious 14-under-par, six shots clear of Charley Hull.
The charge for the trophy became a two-horse race across the final round but home favourite Hull was unable to locate the momentum which saw her rocket to a share of the lead on Saturday, a chip-in from the bunker for an eagle on 11 the highlight of her one-over-par 73.
By contrast, Vu was in a clinical mood throughout on her way to securing her second career major following Chevron Championship success in April, birdies either side of the turn opening up a five-shot advantage.
The 25-year-old Californian never looked like letting it slip down the stretch and finished in fitting fashion with a birdie on the 18th as she became the ninth American winner of the AIG Women’s Open and first since 2014.
Jiyai Shin claimed third on seven-under, a shot clear of Amy Yang and Hyo Joo Kim, while Charlotte Heath claimed the Smyth Salver as this year’s leading amateur.