Ruixin Liu is the second youngest Epson Tour member (she was born on November 13 of 1998). The 18-year-old, who was born in China, is on the bubble to earn an LPGA Tour card for the 2018 season.
“For my rookie year (on the Epson Tour), I feel very honored to be part of the Epson Tour family,” said Liu, who responded via email during a trip back home to China. "I feel positive about what I have already achieved and am hoping I can move up on the money list with the next few tournaments.”
Liu is currently 13th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list with four top 10 finishes and seven top 20’s in 14 starts on Tour. She is approximately $8,000 shy of the top 10 with ample time to make up the difference.
"I wanted to be on the LPGA since the first day I watched a tournament on television when I was seven,” said Liu, who recalls it being a U.S. Open that she watched in China. "I want to be on tour (LPGA) because that means I am capable of chasing my dream and it will give me a chance to pursue my passion.”
It’s interesting that Ruixin is one of two Liu’s (not related) that have a chance to earn a Tour card this year. Yu Liu – also of China – ranks sixth on the money list and has an inside track to a card. Since 1999 – when the Epson Tour starting graduating players to the LPGA – only one player from China has graduated (Yueer Cindy Feng, 2014).
The Liu family moved to the United States just five years ago (2012) and settled in the Orlando area at Lake Nona Country Club, which is known for housing many professional golfers. Her coach is Gregor Jamieson, who has been the Director of Golf at Lake Nona since the club opened in 1988. His list of current and former clients includes Helen Alfredsson, Retief Goosen, Thomas Bjorn and Candy Hanneman, who played on both the LPGA and the Epson Tour.
Liu was introduced to the game by her father, Zuoyi Liu, at a very young age in China. He first took her to the course when she was three and she was hooked. She started playing at the age of six.
Twelve years later, she’s six events away from a spot on the LPGA.
"I think for the next few tournaments, I need to be patient with my own game, don't think about the results, but still have a target in my mind,” explained Liu about her approach. "I will try my best and if the result is not what I want, I will just try harder next time. I’ll just play golf and enjoy myself on the course.”
Regardless of what happens, Liu is looking forward to the offseason when she will head back to China for her second passion: riding horses. She loves animals – particularly dogs and horses – and Equestrian has always been her second sport.
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