Lilia Vu wins AIG Women's Open as protester storms 17th green
"Get off you clown!" Golf fans angered as protester disrupts play towards end of AIG Women's Open.
Lilia Vu captured her second career major title with a commanding six-stroke victory at the AIG Women's Open on an afternoon that saw a protester disrupt play on the penultimate hole at Walton Heath.
Just as things played out in the men's game with Brian Harman etching his name on the famous Claret Jug at the 2023 Open, an American ended up running away with the tournament by six shots.
Vu, 25, capped things off in style by holing a 20-footer for birdie on the 18th to card a joint-best round of the day 67/
It all added up to a 14-under par total.
"It's unreal, I had a pretty tough run the last couple of months and didn't feel like myself," said Vu.
With her win on the LPGA Tour, Vu becomes the first American to win two majors in the same year since 2000.
Vu also won the 2023 Chevron Championship in April, as well as the 2023 Honda LPGA Thailand earlier in February.
She added: "I can't believe it, just given how I felt after the Chevron, thinking those first two wins this year were a fluke. I want to thank everyone in my team for believing in me and helping me get this win here."
England's Charley Hull, who holed a stunning bunker shot for eagle on the 11th, clinched another runner-up finish in a major this season (T2 US Open last month) after converting a lengthy par save on the 18th.
Hull started the final round in a tie for the lead with Vu, but she could only manage a 73 to finish the week on 8-under par.
An emotional Vu paid tribute to all the spectators that came out in their thousands at Walton Heath this week.
"This is the best crowd I have played in front of ever, I will remember this for the rest of my life.
"They have been so great, I know they were rooting for Charley, but they clapped for me too which is amazing!"
Vu also had a message for all the young kids out there.
"It's going to sound like a broken record, but keep believing and never give up."
A wonderful speech from our champion!
Class and emotion from @TheLiliaVu, a role model for all pic.twitter.com/359rIOFUnQ
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 13, 2023
Drama unfolded on the penultimate hole when Hull played a terrific flop shot to 15 feet shortly before a protester stormed onto the green with spray paints.
According to the Telegraph: "Money Rebellion, an arm of protest group Extinction Rebellion, claimed responsibility and said they were targeting the sponsors."
One golf fan shouted: "Get off you clown!"
WATCH WHAT HAPPENED HERE:
“Get off you clown!”
Just Stop Oil protester storms 17th green at AIG Women’s Open pic.twitter.com/rrwYopUt1x
— Andy Roberts (@AndyRobertsGolf) August 13, 2023
England's Charlotte Heath won the Smyth Salver for leading Amateur.
Heath finished the week on 7-over par in a tie for 61st.
AIG Women's Open Final Leaderboard
-14 L Vu (US)
-8 C Hull (Eng)
-7 J Shin (Kor)
-6 A Yang, HJ Kim (Kor)
