Freshman Sophie Liu is shining during her first season with the Iowa women’s golf team.
Liu made her collegiate tournament debut at the Red Raider Invitational in Lubbock, Texas. She made the cut for the Hawkeyes’ line-up – making her the only underclassman in the starting five.
During the tournament Liu carded scores with rounds of 77 (5-over), 74 (2-over), and 75 (3-over). She finished the tournament with a final score of 226 (10-over) and tied for 22nd place. The freshman scored her first two birdies of the season on holes three and eight in the final round.
This is not Liu’s first taste of success. Liu impressed many during her high school career at Viera High School in Florida. During junior season of high school, Liu placed second in conference play, won her district and tied for eighth place at the state tournament.
Liu did not stop with high school golf. In 2015 she won the Florida State Golf Association Girls Championship and the Florida Junior Tour.
The next season was promising for Liu. Not only did she win her conference again, she was the state runner-up and MVP. She also holds the lowest season average and highest place finish at state for her high school.
This past summer, Liu qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships. She tied for 1st place at the Kensington Country Club in Naples, Fla. on July 14 with a score of 69 (2-under). At the Championship, she finished with a total score of 149 (7-over).
“It was fun, I got to compete with a lot of older players and play in harsh conditions, about as hard as it gets for an amateur,” Liu said about her U.S. Women’s Amateur experience.
Her love for golf originated when her family moved to Viera. Their new home was in a neighborhood on a golf course. Her father started taking her out on the course at a young age.
“My dad was a golfer, but I think it was just the right environment to be in.” Liu said. “It felt pretty natural to pick up the sport when your backyard is the golf course.”
Her hard work and love for the game paid off. Coming into this season Liu was one of three Hawkeyes named to the Big Ten Watch list. Liu was one of just six freshmen to be named to the list.
“Sophie has already made an impact on our team and she has only been on campus for three weeks,” head coach Megan Menzel said in a release on Sept. 12.
Liu proved herself once again to make the cut for the Hawkeyes’ next tournament, the GolfWeek Conference Challenge in Vail, Colo.
“She brings a great attitude and a strong desire to be the best.” Menzel said in the same release. “Her teammates are glad to have her in the lineup. She brings a lot of experience from playing high level junior golf.”