WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Growing up in Shanghai, Siyun Liu used to pull all-nighters watching the Masters with her family. Last year Liu watched her Wake Forest teammate, Jennifer Kupcho, make history as the first woman to hoist a trophy at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Liu set her mind to getting there in 2020.
The lovable Liu, known as “Swing,” made it into the elite field of 72. But, as of now, her parents won’t be making the trip over from China due to concerns over the coronavirus. Her father, Weiqing, planned to caddie.
“There’s an alternative route for him, at the moment, to fly to Thailand, stay for 14 days, fly to Middle East and then fly all the way to the U.S.,” said Liu. “But then my dad said what if he caught the virus on the plane? He doesn’t want to spread it to us.”
If the travel ban gets lifted, however, he’ll be coming at warp speed.
Liu made headlines earlier this year when she competed against the men at PGA Tour China Q-School and contended for a card. She moved to the U.S. to play college golf and has struggled with being so far away from home at such a difficult time. Someone in the family’s neighborhood has already died from the virus. A friend caught it too, she said, but has since recovered.
“It’s just really stressful because it’s happening so close to me, but I’m physically too far away to do anything,” said Liu, “and my parents are telling me how intense it is, how hard it is to even get masks and basic protection.”
Liu’s mother, a financial controller, must report to the office two days per week. Otherwise, the family stays in the house.
When Liu registered for the ANWA, she thought about how an Augusta caddie could help in ways that her father couldn’t. Even so, she didn’t want to sign up for one. This is a dream that she wanted to share with dad.
“I’m a senior now,” said Liu. “I’m planning on turning professional right after I graduate. It’s not only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, it’s one for my dad too. To actually stand inside the rope and experience the atmosphere.”
Wake Forest coach Kim Lewellen plans to caddie for Liu if her father can’t make it.
“It’s tough for many reasons,” said Lewellen. “I’ve never met her mother. She was going to come over and watch her play some events senior year. I think of all of that.”
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