GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lilia Vu gained the Meijer LPGA Traditional in a playoff Sunday in her return from a again damage, spoiling Lexi Thompson’s bid for her first victory in 5 years.
Enjoying for the primary time because the Ford Championship in late March in Arizona, Vu beat Thompson and third-round chief Grace Kim with a 5-foot birdie putt on the third additional gap — the par-5 fourth at tree-lined Blythefield Nation Membership.
A former No. 1 participant and double main winner final yr, Vu gained for the fifth time on the LPGA Tour.
“I believe that is essentially the most significant win, as a result of there was a time two months in the past the place I used to be simply crying on the vary not being certain if I’d each play a event once more with out ache,” Vu mentioned. “Prefer to be right here right now, it’s simply unimaginable.”
Thompson, the 2015 winner, has mentioned this might be her final yr taking part in a full schedule. She gained the final of her 11 LPGA Tour titles on the ShopRite LPGA Traditional in June 2019.
“It was an incredible day on the market,” Thompson mentioned. “The golf is one factor, however simply to have the ability to play in entrance of all superb followers, particularly coming down the stretch and on the playoff holes. I don’t suppose I’ve heard cheers like that until it’s like Solheim Cup.”
Vu birdied the par-5 18th in regulation for a 7-under 65, then twice extra to match Thompson and Kim — who entered the day 5 strokes forward of Thompson and eight away from Vu — on the primary two playoff holes.
“I wasn’t excited about successful,” Vu mentioned. “I used to be excited about capturing 8 beneath to make prime 10.”
On the deciding gap, the 27-year-old former UCLA star hit her second shot into the bunker to the appropriate of the inexperienced and blasted out to arrange the birdie. Thompson and Kim missed lengthy birdie tries after laying up following errant drives.
“Ended up within the bunker and made up-and-down, and someway I’m right here with the trophy,” Vu mentioned.
Vu birdied 4 of the final six holes in regulation to match Thomson and Kim at 16-under 272.
“Clearly, getting back from an damage I used to be a little bit up within the air not figuring out my swing,” Vu mentioned. “I used to be simply attempting to make contact right now. That’s it.”
The eight-stroke comeback is the most important of the season, yet another than Linnea Strom overcame final week within the ShopRite LPGA Traditional.
Thompson closed with a birdie for a 68.
“I nonetheless have about 10 or so occasions after this one, so quite a lot of golf to be performed,” Thompson mentioned. “I need to end sturdy. Each time I tee it up I need to win. I believe that’s all people’s purpose out right here.”
Kim shot 73. The 23-year-old Australian gained in a playoff final yr in Hawaii for her lone LPGA Tour title.
Ally Ewing was fourth at 15 beneath after a 69. Allisen Corpuz and Narin An had been 14 beneath, every capturing 70s.
High-ranked Nelly Korda left Friday after lacking her second straight minimize following a stretch of six victories in seven occasions. She gained at Blythefield in 2021 at a tournament-record 25 beneath.
The foremost KPMG Ladies’s PGA Championship begins Thursday at Sahalee outdoors Seattle.
