Lilia Vu’s journey over the past year has been anything but easy. A two-time major champion, she was on top of the world—until a back injury abruptly halted her momentum. Forced to withdraw from the 2024 Chevron Championship, she had no choice but to step away from the game she loves, spending two long months on the sidelines. Her return at the Meijer LPGA Classic was nothing short of remarkable. In a gripping playoff, she proved her resilience, reminding everyone why she’s one of the best.

But even now, nearly a year later, the fear still lingers. Every swing comes with a flicker of doubt, a small voice in the back of her mind wondering if the pain will return. Overcoming the physical toll was one battle, but fighting through the mental hurdles was another. She is currently sharing the lead after the first two rounds, two strokes ahead of Jeeno Thitikul, Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, and Nanna Koerstz Madsen.

However, during the post-round presser, she was asked how she felt to be inside the ropes. “Yeah, I think I just stayed in my bubble. My caddie kind of knew I was kind of stressed this morning, and on the range he just said, just hit your start lines and I’ll handle the rest. We’re going to be okay,” said Lilia Vu. Lilia Vu’s back problems have been a persistent challenge since her major win in 2023. At first, she tried to ignore the discomfort, putting all her energy into her game rather than her physical condition. But as the pain worsened, the five-time LPGA Tour champion came to a tough realization—she had taken her health for granted. That newfound awareness has since pushed her to make her well-being a top priority.

However, back in 2024 also, she has stated that there is no permanent remedy for her back injury. “Some days are better than others, and today was unfortunately not a good day,” she had added during her withdrawal from the Chevron Championship last year. Well, turns out she still has the pain.  When asked if her back issues are lingering, she said, “Yeah, I feel like I’ve been trying to get in tune with my body. I’m not in pain anymore. I’m just waiting for the power to kick in a little bit. I think that’s something that’s kind of been lacking, but I just focused on staying true to my process and just playing golf.”

Lilia Vu does indeed have a way of fighting it back through the consequences that the ignorance of her health has thrown at her. Be it for the team or herself, she has always chosen to take the bullet, no matter what her condition.

Lilia Vu was not ready to play at the Solheim Cup

Standing on the 18th hole at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club last year, Lilia Vu found herself in a high-stakes battle against European rookie Albane Valenzuela in the final singles match of the Solheim Cup. With Team USA looking to reclaim the title for the first time since 2017, Valenzuela had the upper hand, sitting 1-up as they approached the last hole. But when the European debutant missed her 30-foot birdie attempt, Vu seized the moment. She confidently sank her putt, sending the crowd into a frenzy and officially securing the winning point in Team USA’s 15.5 to 12.5 victory. Though it was a collective team effort, Vu became the focal point, delivering the final stroke that sealed the long-awaited triumph.

Despite the celebrations, the two-time major champion later admitted she wasn’t fully prepared for the challenge. During the post-match press conference, she reflected on how she had gone from taking a two-month break due to a back injury—one that forced her to withdraw from defending her title at the Chevron Championship—to clinching a crucial singles win for her team. Looking back on her struggles, Vu shared the emotional weight of her journey. “This week was kind of hard for me. I felt like I wasn’t physically 100 percent, and I almost felt guilty taking that spot from someone else and felt like I was trying to find something out here on the golf course.” In the end, she did find something: confidence in herself and a moment of victory that helped propel Team USA to glory.

Vu credited her teammates for their unwavering support, acknowledging that their encouragement helped her regain her game and ultimately triumph over Valenzuela. She also reflected on the time she was forced to step away from golf, a difficult but necessary break to allow her body to heal. “I’m pretty grateful to even be playing golf, though,” she admitted a sentiment that spoke to her journey through adversity. Her three-month absence from the sport was spent focusing on rehabilitation, a decision that fortunately spared her from undergoing surgery. Though she had downplayed her chances at the Solheim Cup due to lingering concerns about her back, fans were never in doubt. They knew that Vu had already proven her resilience long before stepping onto the course, and her journey through injury only made her comeback even more inspiring.

Vu’s story is a testament to perseverance, determination, and the power of self-belief. As she continues to push forward, how do you think her journey will shape the future of her career? Let us know your thoughts!