SINGAPORE – Less than a year ago, American golfer Lilia Vu made her first appearance at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore a fortnight after claiming her maiden title on the LPGA Tour.
The 26-year-old finished tied-14th then, but she will be aiming to win the 2024 tournament as she returns to Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong Course as world No. 1 after a breakout season that saw her win four titles, including two Majors.
On participating in the Feb 29-March 3 event, Vu said: “Playing in Asia was really where I started to build my confidence and see success on the course last year.
“I arrived in Singapore right after winning my first LPGA title and, although it was my first time playing there, I felt really comfortable and loved the atmosphere and the course at Sentosa.
“I finished top 15 in my debut, and this year, my goal is to be holding the trophy on Sunday afternoon.”
Vu’s win at the Women’s British Open in August saw her rise from world No. 6 to replace fellow American Nelly Korda at the top of the global rankings for the first time.
Her stellar year finally came after some struggles at the start of her career.
A tough rookie season on the LPGA Tour in 2019 saw her earn just US$3,830 (S$5,100) after making one cut in nine starts before she spent the next two years on the second-tier Epson Tour.
Joining Vu in Singapore are China’s world No. 2 Yin Ruoning, France’s Celine Boutier (No. 3) and Australian Minjee Lee (No. 4).
Two-time defending champion and world No. 6 Ko Jin-young, who has won two Majors, had earlier confirmed her participation in the US$1.8 million event, where she will be aiming for a historic three-peat.
Like Vu, Yin and Boutier also enjoyed breakthrough campaigns in 2023, while two-time Major champion Lee capped off her year by winning two of the season’s final four events.
Yin won her first Major title in June at the Women’s PGA Championship, two months after collecting her first LPGA victory at the LA Open.
Boutier, 30, secured her first Major win at the Evian Championship in July.
Yin also reached the summit of the world rankings in September 2023, becoming only the second Chinese woman to claim the honour after Feng Shanshan.
Feng was world No. 1 from November 2017 to April 2018.
The 21-year-old, who was from the CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Programme, is looking forward to playing at the Singapore event for the first time.
She said: “I can’t wait to make my debut at the HSBC Women’s World Championship as it is one of the biggest events in Asia, and I have dreamed of being able to play there.
“Lots of the players call it ‘Asia’s Major’ and tell me it’s their favourite week of the year, so I can’t wait to get there and experience it for myself.”
