When she gets going, watch out because Ruixin Liu can find a low number in a hurry. The 2018 Epson Tour Player of the Year is still working to prove herself on the LPGA Tour, but she’s a six-time champion on the “Road to the LPGA” including two titles in her first three starts this season.
“So actually before teeing off today, I didn’t have really high expectations because last week on Epson [at the Epson Classic in Davidson, N.C.], I didn’t play well,” said Liu, who is tied for second at -4 in the Pure Silk Championship presented by Visit Williamsburg. “Tried to stay patient and work on my putting a little bit. Thank God it worked really good today.”
Liu raced out to a bogey-free, 4-under 31 on the back nine (her opening nine). She hit a couple bumps in the road after making the turn with bogeys at Nos. 2 and 6, but finished strong, stringing together back-to-back birdies to cap her opening round on the River Course at Kingsmill Resort.
With two victories on the Epson Tour so far in 2021 at the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic and Casino Del Sol Golf Classic, Liu has a newfound conviction competing against the top best female pros in the world.
“The two bogeys were actually my swing issue, pulled them a little bit,” Liu said. “I was actually able to fix my swing in the middle of the round to get everything straightened out.
“The two wins earlier this year on Epson [Tour] definitely let me know my swing is in the right place compared to years before. I didn’t play well here [at Kingsmill Resort] in 2019, so it is really good for me to actually improve myself. I know I can play well out here and I think it’s a good confidence boost.”