Lily Muni He qualifies for British Open, and China’s hopes rest solely on her shoulders

China National Games mean 22-year-old is only Chinese golfer chasing share of US$4.5 million prize pot at Carnoustie

Tokyo Olympic champ Nelly Korda and US Open winner Yuka Saso among those hoping to follow Taiwan’s Yani Zheng on famous course

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Chinese golfer Lily Muni He pictured on the golf course. She has qualified for the 2021 British Open. Photo: @lilymhe/Instagram

Published: 2:44pm, 18 Aug 2021Updated: 2:44pm, 18 Aug 2021

Chinese golfer Muni He has joined a stacked field for the Women’s British Open at Carnoustie, including Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games gold medallist Nelly Korda and US Open winner Yuka Saso, after coming through qualifying.

The Chengdu born 22-year-old is the only player representing China at the final major of the year after Liu Yu withdrew from the tournament, which is now known as the AIG Women’s Open.

Several of China’s biggest hitters on the LPGA Tour have chosen to stay away as they prepare for next month’s National Games, for which He’s Sichuan province team did not qualify.

Chinese No 1 Feng Shanshan and No 2 Lin Xiyu returned to China after the Tokyo Olympics to quarantine ahead of the golf tournament in Shaanxi province.

Liu has also returned to China for the National Games and has been replaced by Annabell Fuller at Carnoustie.

He, who is also known as Lily, is currently 93rd in the Race to CME Globe standings with the top 100 at the end of the season guaranteed a tour card.