VU WINS THE BATTLE OF THE BRUINS
Lilia Vu (Fountain Valley, California) took the lead after sinking a birdie putt on No. 2 on Sunday. She held it until Vu’s former collegiate teammate, Beth Wu, made eagle on No. 13. The UCLA Bruins went on to run a tight race for the last five holes, and ultimately Vu took home the champion title after 3-under par 69 for an 8-under oar 54-hole total. The win is the first for Vu on the Epson Tour and in her professional career.
“I am really proud of myself. I'm proud of my caddy and I and how we manage the past couple weeks we've had some good tournaments and I'm really happy that we put it away this time,” said Vu. “When I fell off the LPGA (Tour) I lost almost all my confidence and I almost quit golf, but I am glad I didn’t. Thank you Mom for making me get back on my feet and just keep trying. I wouldn’t have this with without her or my dad or my brother.”
Just two years ago, Vu was an LPGA Tour rookie after finishing T27 at the inaugural LPGA Q-Series. During her first season she made on cut in nine starts. Last year, she competed on the Epson Tour and made three cuts in seven starts. Vu shared after her win today what has helped her re-find her confidence in herself and in her game.
“I read Lynn (Marriott) and Pia’s (Nilsson) book Be A Player. I’ve been reading it every single night actually. I also read The Golf Mystic by Gary Battersby and Extraordinary Golf by Fred Shoemaker. Those books really touch on awareness rather than technical. When I was struggling, I was being really technical was really I am a huge feel player. So, I just had to rewire my brain like that and play my own game.”
WU WITH POSITIVE TAKEAWAYS AFTER SECOND-PLACE FINISH
A third round 1-under par 71 for Beth Wu (Diamond Bar, California) in the final round included two birdies and one eagle at the Garden City Charity Classic. Battling out the day in the final pairing, she came just short to former UCLA Bruins teammate and good friend Lilia Vu. Despite the outcome, Wu was pleased to record her career-best finish of second place.
“I really simplified my game. That’s been my goal this year ‘to simplify and solidify everything,” said Wu. “After this week I am pretty happy with the progress.
“Honestly, everything is kind of a blur right now. Obviously, I am very happy for Lils (Lilia Vu) she is one of my best friends. We roomed together in and did everything together. Even though I finished second I am pretty happy with where my game is at right now. I had to play well because my status isn’t very good, so this will help me get back in hopefully with the reshuffle, but honestly right now it’s just pure joy right now for Lils.”
RACE FOR THE CARD STANDINGS AFTER WEEK FIVE
Following the 5th tournament of the 2021 Epson Tour season, the Race for the Card welcomes one new face to the top-10.
The victory and $26,250 winner’s check move Vu up 9 spots to No. 2 with $41,808 earned through five total starts this season. Here is a look at the current top-10 heading into the tenth annual Epson Classic at River Run Country Club in Davidson, NC. from May 14-16:
1. Ruixin Liu (Guangdong, People’s Republic of China) - $67,220
2. Lilia Vu – $41,808
3. Fatima Fernandez Cano (Santiago de Compostela, Spain) – $38,031
4. Maude-Aimee Leblanc (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada) – $33,382
5. Sophie Hausmann (Nottuln, Germany) – $33,053
6. Bailey Tardy (Norcross, Georgia) – $32,701
7. Haylee Harford (Leavittsburg, Ohio) – $23,818
8. Sophia Schubert (Oak Ridge, Tennessee) – $22,416
9. Morgane Metraux (Laussane, Switzerland) – $21,914
10. Gigi Stoll (Beaverton, Oregon) – $20,608
NOTABLE QUOTES
Kyung Kim (-2, 3) on her takeaways from this week:
“It was a scramble today. Just like yesterday I wasn’t hitting too many fairways or too many greens, so I really didn’t have that many opportunities. Overall, I am satisfied with how I played this week. I started off pretty slow to start the season, so I am hoping this gives me some momentum to keep shooting under par and keep it going.”
Amanda Doherty (-1, T4) on fighting back through each round:
“I feel pretty good. My game is trending in the right direction it feels like, so that is always a good thing. I have some frustration this week from getting off to a good start in the first two days and struggled to finish but ended with a birdie today so that’s a good note. The next few days I will take off to rest and then back to practicing and getting ready for North Carolina.”
Isi Gabsa (-1, T4) on being one of three players to shoot under par on Sunday:
“The wind was blowing gusts all day and sometimes it was up to three clubs. I tried the whole round to convince myself to hit the right number every single time and it worked very well today for me. I think we have had some practice with the last few weeks being windy all the time, but today it really just worked out for me.”
PLAYER NOTES
Lilia Vu
- Vu, 23, is a native of Fountain Valley, California
- Helped lead Team USA to victory at the 2018 Curtis Cup, earning four points
- Member of the 2018 Arnold Palmer Cup and USA World Amateur Teams
- As a UCLA Bruin, was awarded 2018 PING WGCA Player of the Year, Pac-1 Conference Golfer of the Year and Honda Award finalist, also three-time WGCA First Team All-American and All-Pac 12 performer
- Ranked first on the all-time UCLA career victory list with eight individual titles
- Finished T27 at the inaugural LPGA Q-Series to earn Priority List Category 14 status for the 2019 season
- Made one cut in nine starts on the LPGA Tour in 2019
- Made three cuts in seven starts on the Epson Tour in 2020 with a season-best finish of T29 at the Four Winds Invitational
- Claimed first professional win at the 2021 Garden City Charity Classic
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