CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

November 19, 2023

Lilia Vu

Tiburon Golf Club

Flash Interview

Q. Lilia, as you come off the course you are walking off as the Rolex Player the Year. You've been asked that question a couple times. What does that mean to hear those words associated with you?

LILIA VU: I think it's been unreal for that to happen. I think last year I was telling Cole on the last hole, I remember after the last round, last hole, I just broke down in tears. I was just really hard on myself. I was definitely hard on myself this year, too, but much nicer.

Came in with no expectations and tried to win every tournament that I played in. Just kept my goals really small, and I think that really helped me achieve Player of the Year.

Honestly, I don't think I thought much about it today. I just was trying to play my best out there. Probably have more time it reflect tonight and figure out what it means to me.

I mean, I went to the Rolex dinner on Thursday and Annika is and eight-time Player of the Year and I thought it was just amazing to be up there with her.

Not only that, and win her tournament last week, too, was -- I'm just honored and grateful for everything this year.

Q. Can you put into perspective the last two years, your journey, everything that's gone into the Lilia that's standing before us here?

LILIA VU: I think I just really stuck to my 1% better every day. I've mentioned that book before, The Slight Edge. I just tried to do little things every day to help me achieve that goal.

It wasn't even golf related. It was trying to just grow as a person every day. I kind of stuck to that, and then golf just followed along. Also, just kind of creating a team around me that helps me have fun on the golf course.

Because, I mean, I had a lot of fun in college, and once I turned pro, the fun went away because I put so much pressure. So I realized, okay, how can I create a team like that again by myself and with the right people around me to help me have fun. And then they handle what they need to do and I can do what I can do on the golf course.

Q. Where does Rolex Player of the Year rank in your list of accomplishments over your career and the season?

LILIA VU: I think highest award for me to ever achieve. My goal throughout my entire life was to get Player of the Year where I was. So say junior golf Player of the Year, didn't really get it.

Then college golf I was able to do that.

I just kept trying to do it every single level ace got better.

Q. You said you kept your goals small. What was your first small goal of the year?

LILIA VU: Win a tournament, and I did it on the first one. I think that just really helped me trust myself more. I know I feel like when I was at that tournament on the last day shooting really low I wasn't thinking about winning. Just tried to birdie every single hole and I happened to win.

I there at this takes me not until like a week after to realize, oh, I won a tournament. I think I'm so invested in that moment that it doesn't really hit me until later on.

It's like that for every single one I think because I'm just so -- kind of like a horse, blinders on. This is what I'm trying to do. Later on I can celebrate it.

Q. Was it like that last year? Do you feel like that's a new thing, where you're so focused, in the moment?

LILIA VU: I think it's a new thing. Last year I played golf with a lot of worry. I just was worried about everything. When you're worried about making the cut you tend to miss the cut, but if you try to win the tournament you will be fine and won't miss the cut.

Kind of that mindset.

Q. You talked earlier this year about the remarkable journey of your grandfather?

LILIA VU: Yeah.

Q. You said he's the reason you're here.

LILIA VU: Yes.

Q. With that in mind, how much has he played a role in this? I know believe he's not here, but throughout this year, how much do you think about him and what do you think he would say to you now?

LILIA VU: I think about him all the time. My nails are koi fish. He raised bike 50 koi fish in his backyard when he was alive. I always think about him. He's always next to me. Even when I get down on myself I kind of think, okay, grandpa didn't do all this for you to get upset over one shot.

I try to think positively and try to make a birdie on the next hole and get it back.

Q. What do you think he would say to you?

LILIA VU: I think he would be really proud. Yeah, I don't know what he would say to me. I just keep thinking about the last thing he said to me, which is try your best.

Q. Uh-huh.

LILIA VU: Yeah, I think about that every day and I try to do that every day.

Q. With all that, do you ever think this is a game -- I know it's a livelihood for you, but it's a game, just put it in perspective to what he went through and your family went through.

LILIA VU: Yeah, I think just -- I'm kind of like him. He went away a month at a time to go build this boat, right? He was just quietly hard working. I think I'm kind of the same way. I'm not very vocal with what I do. I don't -- just I kind of just write my goals and put it away. I don't openly say all the stuff. I wait until I achieve them. I think I have that same hard working passion my grandpa does.

When he was alive he was always working in the backyard, working on cars, doing stuff, and he was just a quiet guy.

I feel like, I don't know, he's the best person I've ever known. Oh, my God I'm going to cry.