Lilia Vu wins over Charley Hull

Hull held a share of the 54-hole lead at Walton Heath as she looked to extend the run of first-time major winners, only for her challenge to fade on the final day as Vu took control of the tournament. The Englishwoman posted a final-round 73 to finish six strokes back in second, her second runner-up finish in majors and fourth overall in 2023, with Hull determined to build on those near-misses and reach the major winner's circle next year.

After making three consecutive pars on holes 12, 13 and 14, Hull went bogey-birdie-bogey on Nos. 15, 16 and 17 to drop to 8-under and sit five back of Vu with one hole to play. After finding the heather with her drive and punching out to the bunker in front of the green on 18, the 27-year-old splashed out her third shot and miraculously drained her lengthy par try to the delight of the English fans, solidifying her runner-up result and finishing T2 or better in her second major of the season.

“(Lilia) played unbelievable and I just don't feel like I got a break to be fair. I didn't feel anything went my way, even some lies that I had and I was running out of steam at the end,” said Hull, who finished T2 at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach after a final-round, 6-under 66. “No, she played great. It's just annoying because this is my fourth second-place finish of the year and second second-place finish in a major. But I feel like next year will be my time for me just because I'm going to really focus on working on that over this winter. I feel like I want to start tomorrow with my coach.”

Shin finished one shot clear of her fellow South Koreans Amy Yang (70) and Kim (74), while the American trio Allisen Corpuz, Ally Ewing – who had led by five shots after the second round – and Yin were tied in sixth place.

Hull paid the price for two dropped shots on the 4th and 5th, finding herself three shots adrift of Vu, who had birdied the 2nd, heading into the 5th.

After coming through the qualifier, Kylie Henry also produced a solid all-round performance in her tenth appearance in the event, signing off with a par-72 that contained 16 pars to finish in a tie for 44th on four-over.

England’s Charlotte Heath won the Smyth Salver as leading amateur, finishing five shots ahead of Spaniard Julia Lopez Ramirez with a seven-over total. “Definitely not what I expected at the start of the week but very happy with it,” said Heath of her feat in a field that started out with ten amateurs.

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 Sarah H

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