For most professional golfers, family support provides comfort during tournaments. For Yan Liu, it’s a complicated matter. The rising Chinese star finds herself in an unusual predicament with her mother, who happens to be a skilled amateur golfer. After shooting a bogey-free 7-under 65 in the first round of the Chevron Championship, Liu candidly shared her feelings about this unique dynamic during her post-round press conference.

Liu, who began playing golf at age 12, credits her mother for introducing her to the sport. “My mom loved the game, and she plays a lot,” Liu revealed after taking a share of the first-round lead. Her mother’s passion for golf runs deep. She still plays around 20 times per month, far more frequently than her professional daughter.

But it’s not just the frequency that makes this mother-daughter relationship interesting. It’s the skill level. When asked about her mother’s abilities, Liu didn’t hesitate to respond. “She could shoot, like, even. Even she felt bad she could shoot under par,” she explained. This impressive capability for an amateur creates an unusual dynamic between them.

The competitive nature intensifies when they play together. Liu admitted with a laugh that she tries to avoid playing rounds with her mother. Why? The pressure becomes unbearable. “Just she would say sometime if we play the same score, then she’d say, You practice every day; I don’t practice; I beat you,” Liu shared. Her simple conclusion about these experiences was telling: “It’s not fun for me.”

Despite this complicated dynamic, Liu’s family support system shows a clear division of roles. While her highly competitive mother remains in China, it’s her father who travels with her on tour. This arrangement may be a blessing in disguise for Liu. Without her mother’s constant presence on tour, she can focus on her game without the added pressure of immediate comparisons. Yet the influence of having such a talented amateur golfer as a mother continues to shape her approach to the sport.

Perhaps this unique parental pressure has prepared Liu for the spotlight of a major championship, as her current performance suggests she’s more than ready for golf’s biggest stage.

Yan Liu’s unexpected rise to the top at the Chevron Championship

The pressure hasn’t stopped Liu from excelling on golf’s biggest stage. Her opening round at the Chevron Championship was nothing short of spectacular. Playing at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, Liu carded a flawless round with no bogeys.

Her performance included a 31 on the front nine and a 34 on the back. This brilliant display has placed her in a tie for the lead with South Korea’s Haeran Ryu. Both players posted identical 7-under 65s to establish a two-shot advantage over their closest competitor, Hyo Joo Kim.

Liu’s stellar round stands in stark contrast to defending champion Nelly Korda‘s struggles. The world No. 1 posted a disappointing 5-over 77, leaving her tied for 118th place and in danger of missing the cut. Lydia Ko, another top seed in the field, carded 1 over and sits at T61 after Thursday’s play. Meanwhile, Liu continues to build on her recent strong form.

Just last week, Liu shot a career-best 63 at the JM Eagle LA Championship. She’s finding her rhythm after making significant adjustments in the offseason. “I think I do a very good job in the offseason. I changed my — before I hit draw; right now change to hit fade,” Liu explained. This technical modification has helped her control her swing and ball flight more effectively.

While Liu now chases her first LPGA victory, she does so with a unique perspective shaped by her mother’s influence. The pressure of having an accomplished amateur golfer for a mother has perhaps fueled Liu’s competitive drive. Will this be the week she finally breaks through for her maiden LPGA win? Only time will tell.