Lilia Vu took the momentum early with three birdies and closed with a 4-under 66 to win The Annika on Sunday, her fourth victory of the year, regaining the No. 1 ranking and closing in on LPGA player of the year. American Vu began the final round at Pelican Golf Club three strokes behind Emily Kristine Pedersen, made three birdies in six holes, and then drew away with flawless approach shots that set up back-to-back birdies. Vu is almost certain to earn additional honors as the LPGA’s top player. Her two major victories came at the Chevron Championship and the Women’s British Open. Stacy Lewis, a former UCLA player, was the last American to win the trophy in 2014.
In the contest for the points-based LPGA player of the year, the 26-year-old Vu was only three points behind another four-time winner, Celine Boutier. The French golfer Boutier failed to make a cut this weekend. Vu now leads the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship by 27 points. The 30-year-old Boutier’s only hope is to win next week while Vu finishes eighth or lower. It was a heartbreaking finale for Pedersen, who went from attempting to win her maiden LPGA Tour championship to having her season cut short.
Pedersen’s failure to make a birdie was bad enough. She was still in good shape to move from No. 80 to No. 60 in the Race to CME Globe and proceed to the season finale in Naples, Florida. Pedersen, on the other hand, made a double bogey on her final hole. This resulted in a 74, knocking her out of the top 60.
Swedish golfer Madelene Sagstrom missed the cut and appeared to be out of the top 60 when Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou finished with a 67 to tie for fifth. Pedersen’s double bogey, however, allowed Sagstrom to advance. Despite missing the cut and Vu winning, Boutier ended first in the rankings, which is irrelevant. To receive the $2 million prize, all 60 players must win the CME Group Tour Championship next week.
Munoz entered the event ranked 100th in the Race to CME Globe, hoping to get into the top 80 and guarantee her spot, even though she was eligible for maternity leave. She almost made it to the season finale. Patty Tavatanakit’s final round was a struggle until a late birdie provided her enough of a cushion that her bogey on the final hole kept her in the top 60.
