Every issue, GRAZIA Singapore highlights a Game Changer who inspires, educates and celebrates individuality, beauty and style. This month, meet Lily Muni He, one of the many Chinese golf pros who have come to prominence in recent years, who was in town for the recent HSBC Women’s World Championship.
You’re one of the many Chinese golf pros who’ve come to prominence in recent years—how do you see yourself as a golf and sports role model?
I hope to keep on doing what I do, and continue to show that golf can be young and fun and something that you can really enjoy at any age, especially as a woman. Growing up, I had a few female golf idols, but back then, we didn’t have social media, so all we saw and knew of them was just what was broadcasted on TV. But now, through social media, you get to share so much more of your life behind the scenes and hopefully, that can inspire the next generation, especially young girls, to get involved. People should never underestimate how someone can be an inspiration for someone else. It’s crazy to think that I’m in a position now to be that for the next generation.
What is it about golf that you love?
It’s something that I’ve been doing since as long as I can remember. When I’m practising and out on the golf course by myself, it’s very therapeutic. Of course, it’s a bit more tense when it’s during a competition, but just playing a round of golf by myself is honestly one of my favourite things to do. I think our world is so busy now, everyone’s always on their phone, and life just seems so hectic and fast paced, but when you’re out on the golf course, everything’s so calm, you’re out in nature, and you’re just focused on hitting this little white ball. So for me, it’s very poetic and it brings [me] back to being present.
How do you think golf has changed you as a person?
I’m very driven as a person, and I think that in some ways, golfing has taught me discipline. It ensures that I work hard because if I don’t practise and don’t do what I’m supposed to do in the gym, it really reflects in my game, so I’m constantly reminded that I have to [have my eye] on my end goal and the bigger picture, and just stay very career focused.
How do you define success? Is it achieving a certain score, winning a particular trophy or something else entirely?
As much as I’d like to lie to myself and say that success doesn’t matter, my goal and my dream is to win on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour, so it’s something I’m working towards every day. But if I were to ever look back on my career never having won anything, I think I’d still feel fulfilled, knowing that I’ve given my 100 per cent, I’ve worked hard and I did everything that I could, because in the end, that’s all I can really control.
So what impact do you hope to create on the game or fans of golf?
I hope my presence will help to draw more fans to the sport. I also aspire to make golf more popular, and inspire more people to pick up the game—even just hobby golfers or amateur golfers. And I know that trend is already growing, but I think there’s still plenty of room, and I hope to see more Chinese players on the LPGA and the Professional Golfers’ Association of America tours.