One year made all the difference for Lilia Vu at the Chevron Championship
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Lilia Vu won the Chevron Championship a year ago at the Carlton Woods club in Houston, only in the name of defending the champion.
Vu, who entered the pond in 2023 after winning her first major title, fought a debilitating back injury, which forced her to quit the title. But the harm is not just VU being a major start – it also makes her question whether professional golf is still her now and in the future.
“I was in range and couldn’t hit the ball at 40 yards,” VU said Tuesday at the Chevrons’ tournament press conference. “If I didn’t do that, I know how I would end a round, let alone serve? At that time, that was – you were thinking about different things. Not even defending the game. I couldn’t even play a hole, so that’s my idea. It’s a good time to reassess everything.”
The injury forced VU to take time. That time made a former world number one man feel pain, and he burned to compete. But it also took VU a step back, separate golfers from people, and find ways to become more comprehensive.
“[The injury] Vu has deeply influenced me. I don’t think there is no competition, it’s something I really like, and I think that’s why I do it. I love golf. It’s hard when you love your job and love competition and can’t do that. You feel disabled.
Vu later said, “I think it will teach you a lot of lessons, and I feel that sometimes you need a balance in life.” “I think I’ve caught up with golf being who I am, and in those two months I’ve seen a lot of families, a lot of friends. I can’t break into a few weeks, so I’m just doing other things. Read a lot. Read a lot. Listen to audiobooks. Just try my best to be a better person. I could improve that at the time.”
Among the books Vu read is “Be Water, My Friend” by Shannon Lee’s daughter.
This book is centered on Li Yisheng’s philosophy and requires readers to see their lives through different lenses. It provides VU with a new vision to help map her career and life.
“Talking about how water is, when you hit it, it hits you. It’s very adaptable,” Vu said. “It can be so beautiful and quiet. At the same time, there can be a storm coming and you can see how destructive it is. What I get from that book is adaptable. That’s what I try to be every day.”
Two months later, VU returned to the Meijer LPGA Classic in June. She won. She finished second in the next match of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and second in the defense of the AIG Women’s Open.
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Once full of doubt, VU finds confidence rooted in a changing perspective and is very focused on “body and swing consciousness.”
Vu has joined her team shortly after she quits from Chevron last year. Yamada helps VU maintain the correct posture to prevent back problems from erupting again. Vu said Yamada would tell her when “out of posture”, which is usually on her “worst shot of the day.”
A year later, Vu treats her 2024 trial as something she needs. It helps her center herself, find peace outside of golf. This made her more aware of what was happening in the course and her body.
She returns to herringbone and ranks fourth in the world. Even before the tee hits, it is a victory reward.
“I would definitely say it’s a motivation,” Vu said, back to Chevron Health. “But I think I was panicked last year [whether I] Will play golf again, let alone game.
“I would say I’m in a better place.”
She used to be uncertain about the future, and VU is now confident that she can handle everything in the future. Like water, she plans to adapt to any life inside and outside the track.
