Cool, calm, and collected as she moves around the presidential suite at Marina Bay Sands, Lily Muni He is a picture of ease despite her jammed-packed schedule while in the Lion City for the Singapore Grand Prix. Throughout our shoot, and even during our conversation, she radiates a quiet confidence and easy charm that draws people in. Combined with her modelesque beauty and fierce competitive spirit, you have one of the many female golfers elevating the sport among her Gen-Z peers. “I would say in the past few years golf has become cool and trendy, especially with the younger generation, and that’s very cool to see. I think what is also exciting is seeing a lot of young women, in particular, picking up golf, not just to chase it as a professional career, but also out of enjoyment.”
Lily was drawn to the calm of the course when first introduced to the sport as a kid by her father, an avid golfer himself. “(When I was young) I participated in dance classes, which felt like a performance for others. At times, it felt overwhelming and made me really nervous. But when it came to golf, it was just me out on the course and out in nature, playing by myself and for myself.” By the age of five, she was already competing in junior tournaments. And when her family relocated from Chengdu, China, to San Diego, California, she began playing in tournaments across the country.
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But it wasn’t until she qualified for the U.S. Open at 15— her first professional international tournament—that she realised golf could be an actual career. That same year, she won the 2015 Polo Junior Classic before turning professional in 2017. Since then, Lily has traversed the world to compete on the world stage, most notably on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour since 2019.
With her cross-cultural upbringing and grit, Lily has carved out her own path while striving for more than just excellence, on and off the course. “Growing up, it was very important for me to work hard and be goal-driven. I was constantly trying to be the best version of myself,” she reflects. “Now it’s ingrained in my personality to be career-focused and ambitious, but I’ve also learned from living in North America and California to value life outside of golf, focus on my mental health and physical well-being. I’m always chasing that balance.”
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We ask Lily for her thoughts on why women remain underrepresented in golf worldwide. “I think there’s a big misconception about women, not just in golf, but women athletes in general—that we’re not as talented as the men. I would say that we are just as good, but in different ways,” she says. “Women’s golf is just a completely different ball game to the men’s because we are physically different.”
It’s a perspective that reflects the growing evolution of women’s sports as a whole. “Of course, the gap between women’s and men’s sports is still large in most categories, but we are seeing improvements every year, even since the beginning of my career.”
Just as her heroes once inspired her, Lily now hopes to empower the next generation of female athletes making their way onto the scene. “I think what’s exciting is seeing people in general becoming more interested in women’s sports and also more willing to invest in them. Growing up, the golfers that I looked up to were always women. They were not only amazing golfers, but were also multifaceted and feminine,” she says. “I hope I can prove to young girls that you can be a female athlete and enjoy life both on and off the golf course.”
Beyond the course, Lily has built an impressive presence on social media, amassing over 1.2 million followers on Instagram and more than 615,000 on TikTok. Her socials showcase a mix of lifestyle snapshots, from her latest reads (she is currently reading The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros), travels with boyfriend and Formula 1 driver Alex Albon, to her effortlessly chic fashion moments.
A longtime fan of vintage and thrifted finds, her personal style, which combines sleek and clean elements with playful, unique touches, has followers obsessed. Examples include her iconic JW Anderson Pigeon clutch, Bolide On Wheels bag from Hermès, Bottega Veneta Orange Multi-Pouch, and the vintage yellow Roberto Cavalli dress from the Spring 2003 collection she wore at the Singapore Grand Prix. “I’ve always been interested in fashion. I was very invested in a lot of the vintage styles in high school,” she explains. “Today, I would go thrifting online for vintage golf apparel and wear them on the course. It’s really a hobby of mine, and I have a lot of fun dressing up and putting outfits together.”
A thriving professional career and growing global platform, Lily has much to look forward to in the years to come. But beyond the fairways and flashing cameras, she also has her sights set on pursuits that speak to her creative and compassionate side. “I would love to dive into something artistic after my golf career. I do have a huge passion for animals, so I would love to see how I could volunteer or help with charity projects.”
Whether competing around the world, appearing at the Formula 1 Paddock, or engaging fans online, Lily continues to blur the boundaries between sport, fashion, and culture. With every swing, she’s helping redefine what it means to be a modern athlete—and making golf cool for a whole new generation.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Hairstylist JIMMY YAP / Kimistry Hair Boutique using Goldwell
Styling Assistant EVA NATASHA