(Los Angeles) American Lilia Vu won her first major trophy on the North American Women’s Golf Tour (LPGA) on Sunday, beating compatriot Angel Yin in the playoffs to claim the Chevron Tournament.

In this first major women’s golf tournament of the year, Vu and Yin completed the 72 holes with a score of 278 (-10) on the Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Carlton Woods, in the suburbs of Houston (Texas), New home of the tournament which has been held for 51 years in Rancho Mirage, California.

Playing in cool and windy conditions, Vu, who started the 4th round in 11th place, came back four strokes behind leader Yin, thanks to a card of 68.

Vu finished with two straight birdies to put the pressure on Yin, who snatched the playoff on the 18th hole also with a birdie, after chaining two bogeys at the N.16 and 17.

On the 1st hole of the playoffs, Yin sent his ball into the water, while Vu birdied a putt of more than 4 meters, thus winning his second LPGA title, after the Honda LPGA Thailand in February.

“I can’t even put into words how I felt,” Vu said. “I was nervous. I was scared. I was cold. I just wanted to hit the putt and be done with it.”

Moments after landing the winning putt, the 25-year-old American, world No.12, bowed to a tournament tradition that originated in California, that of diving into the very lake where Yin’s ball had sunk earlier.

“The last two days have been tough, really not easy,” said Vu, who was in just his ninth major tournament appearance. “I have been my own enemy. I don’t know how I got out of it. I’m just really happy and proud.”

Vu had considered quitting golf years ago, but said after her win that “everything happens for a reason” and that despite all the hardships she’s been through, “I see myself as my biggest obstacle.