Su Oh has tamed strong winds to win the Vic Open

Former junior prodigy Su Oh was the last woman standing on a day of windy carnage at 13th Beach as she came from nowhere to win the Vic Open by a shot.

The 28-year-old Australian started the final round seven shots off the lead.

But with 50 km/h winds – gusting at times to 70 km/h around the links layout on Sunday – there was a feeling that anything could happen.

Oh carded a closing two-over 74 , which ended up being the equal-low round of the day.

She then a had a nervous two-hour wait before finally being declared the winner when Shina Kanazawa’s long birdie attenpt at the 18th slid by the hole.

Overnight leader Madoka Kimura (83), fellow Japanese player Kanazawa (80) and Australian Kelsey Bennett (81) struggled all day in the final round.

Oh finished at level-par 289, a shot ahead of Kanazawa, with Kimura one stroke further back in outright third.

Defending champion Ashley Lau from Malaysia and Australians Bennett, Robyn Choi and Kathryn Norris tied for fourth at three over.

Oh famously first qualified for the Australian Open as a 12-year-old back in 2009.

She and Minjee Lee combined to win a World Amateur title in 2014 and it seemed certain both were destined for great things.

But while Lee very much delivered on that potential after turning professional, Oh often struggled.

Her only two previous wins as a pro were also in Australia – at the 2015 Ladies Masters and the 2022 WPGA Championship.

She has also been a regular contender at the Vic Open, with five other top-10s including a runners-up effort in 2015.

But Oh lost her LPGA Tour card in 2022 and then spent much of the previous two years on the US secondary tour.

Things started to turn around last year when she linked up with celebrated coach Ritchie Smith, whose stable also includes Minjee and Min Woo Lee, Hannah Green and Elvis Smylie.

She led after the first round of the 2024 Australian Open before finishing 14th.

Sunday’s victory is another huge confidence boost.

By John Salvado AAP