First Major for Lilia Vu at the Chevron, Céline Boutier 14th

It’s a tradition, so she stuck to it even though the weather wasn’t very good for getting in the water. Lilia Vu ended up in the lake, like Angel Yin’s ball a few minutes earlier in the first round of the play-off, one too many mistakes that sealed this first Major of the year. The American is becoming a specialist in the final laps. She had started the day four holes behind and she triumphed. She left with six handicap strokes on the fourth round, in February on the Honda in Thailand, which did not prevent her from winning her first LPGA trophy.

“I can’t even believe it’s possible”

His first thoughts went to his grandfather, who passed away in 2020: “I was upset on the course. I knew my grandfather was with me. To calm myself down, I said to myself: he would be really disappointed if he saw you getting upset like that. Upon arrival, I did. I can’t even believe it’s possible. » The deliverance came after a putt of 4-5 meters downhill, on the first round of play-off: “I told myself that I had already taken this kind of shot millions of times in training and in tournaments. And it came back once again, yet I was scared and cold, just anxious for it to end. »

Rookie in 2019 without shining on the LPGA, returned to the Epson circuit for two years where she won three times, Lilia Vu would never have won this Grand Slam if her main opponent had not cracked. Angel Yin indeed had the trophy in his hands at the start of the 16th. One stroke ahead, three holes to play, no more competitors on the course to improve his score. Only, inexperience at this level caught up with her. Bogey at 16, bogey at 17, panic on board. The American, however, found improbable mental resources to plant a birdie at 18 and afford a play-off after missing the putt for eagle and winning it, a few seconds earlier! For her part, Nelly Korda took 3rd place (-9): “If I keep knocking on the door, eventually it will open for me. »

A very decent Major but not the expected feat for Boutier

The start of the day had been disrupted by the risk of lightning. The game was interrupted and several departures, those of the best, were delayed for a good hour. This Sunday, Céline Boutier was to start at 6:10 p.m. (French time), she finally set off after 7 p.m. A lag and conditions that disrupted it from the start (bogey on 2) before an express recovery (birdie on 4). Only, a bit like the day before, the Frenchwoman never found the expected precision, quickly ruining her chances of Top 10 (bogeys at 8 and 12). His last two birdies (17, 18) just allowed him to grab a Top 15 (-4), after having played in par for the second day in a row. A very decent Major but not the hoped-for feat.

Fourth in 2022 for the last on the Dinah Shore in Rancho Mirage (California), the Francilienne, domiciled in Dallas, will soon have new opportunities to imitate Lilia Vu.