Shauna Liu and Michelle Xing share many things in common. It’s easy to understand how they are fierce competitors but more importantly, they’re best friends.
Both Liu (Maple, Ont.) and Xing (Richmond Hill, Ont.) have won a national championship (Liu has two), both call Maple Downs Golf & Country Club in Maple, Ont. their home course. They have competed and continue to represent Team Canada both individually and as a team all over the world and eventually they will be attending college together as well.
Both will be competing at the 112th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO next week at The Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont. where Xing is defending champion, and looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Canadian Golf Hall of Famer, Lisa Meldrum of Montreal, Que. won three straight from 2001-03. Liu’s name is also etched in the history books having won the Canadian Junior Girls title back-to-back years, she will be seeking a three-peat in August.
It’s funny to reflect on how friendships start. Remembering what exactly drew you to someone that sparked a friendship. A funny joke, a friendly smile, perhaps being paired together in sports or school, or maybe it was wearing the same jacket and shoes as a total stranger.
More specifically a blue and pink puffer jacket, with a pink golf bag and the same pair of golf shoes. For Liu and Xing that is what sparked an instant friendship.
“Oh, my twin,” said Liu through laughs. “That’s my twin.” When she recalls meeting Xing for the first time.
The pair dressed the same, used the same golf equipment and worked with the same coach. Aside from matching outfits and equipment, Xing remembers being impressed by her new friend’s swing.
“She was a couple matts in front of me and her swing was so good, I got scared because I was like…Holy. What the heck?” From that day on, the two have been inseparable.
While they are good friends off the course and teammates on it representing Team Canada – NextGen, there are still many occasions where they will compete head-to-head. Neither Liu or Xing feel they’ve had any difficulty balancing their friendship while also competing with one another.
“I think for us, it’s always been friends and teammates first, just because we’ve known each other for so long, right? And obviously, it’s an individual sport,” said Xing.
“You’re trying to win, but also, I’ve never thought of it as, just solely competitors, right? Because you’re trying to win, so you’re not just trying to beat one person, you’re trying to beat everyone. So, whatever happens, it’s, for me at least, friends and teammates first.”
Liu agrees with Xing, “I think, not just with Michelle but with everyone when you’re playing a tournament, I feel like you want to be a good person above being a good golfer and with Michelle, we’ve been friends for so long and we actually play together.
“It’s not going to be too different from a competitive round with someone else, but we do have that level of friendship even if we’re competing against each other.”
When they are not competing in tournaments the pair enjoy doing what most people their age (both are currently 17 years old, Xing will be turning 18 next week) do. Exploring the city, in their case Toronto, searching for the next great food option, shopping for things “they don’t really need” and being in constant contact with each other.
“We’re there for each other all the time, every day. Even if we don’t actually need anything from each other, we’re sending reels and talking about everything,” added Liu.
At their age, one of the first tests for a friendship is going to a different college or university.
Distance can be a factor along with heavier school schedules. New friendships are formed and new opportunities present themselves, but for Liu and Xing that will not be the case. Both have committed to attend UCLA with Xing headed there later this summer and Liu will join in the summer of 2027.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait to bug her,” said Xing laughing.
“I feel like Michelle’s kind of paved the way for me in a way,” added Liu before Xing stopped her and joked “don’t say that” bringing out a share of laughs.
Liu continued “she got on the team a year before I did, she’s going to UCLA a year before I’m going and obviously, we’re going to have different journeys, but I feel like it’s nice to have someone going into a new space while you have some sense of familiarity with it.
“It’s going to be tough on her, but it’s going to be nice for me,” added Liu jokingly.
“It’s fine, I’ll tell you everything,” Xing quipped.
While the pair are clearly excited to remain as teammates in the Golden State, their decisions were made individually.
“I decided to go because of their school and because I like how their golf program runs and the coaches. I really feel like I connected with the coaches,” said Liu, who plans to study psychology at UCLA, a program that the school is highly regarded for. Liu also credits the connections she made during a visit to the campus.
“I feel like, I really saw myself and I connected with the team and that’s a really big part of me. If we’re going into college, I feel like the connection that you have with your team and with the school and the environment in general, that’s kind of what shapes you as a person and helps you grow.”
Xing had a similar experience through the recruitment process and remembers playing in a tournament, the day that recruitment began. After finishing her round, she picked up her phone, which was muted to find several messages to which she described as “crazy but a really cool” experience.
“You kind of learn on the way what you want by talking to different coaches. With UCLA specifically, it was one of my top schools from the very beginning. Academics is really important, so I was looking for a school that was good academically.”
Continuing to be part of a team is also exciting for Xing, something both her and Liu have been able to do through the Team Canada program. Most recently the pair represented Team Canada 1 at the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, where they earned a silver medal in Xing’s final year of eligibility for the tournament.
“I know golf is an individual sport, but those team events, being able to represent your country, your school, it’s always meant a lot to me, and I really enjoy any team event.”
Like Liu, the visit to UCLA really helped make the decision for her.
“I loved the coaches, I also knew some of the girls on the team. I think that is important because you already have some connections. It makes things a little bit easier.” Xing is still deciding what her major will be and isn’t rushing into a decision, but she knows her interests lie in the field of science.
Good coaches and teammates, a beautiful campus with a strong academic reputation are all enticing factors, but the California sun also played a role.
“Weather was huge, I mean I’m from north of Toronto. It’s cold here,” said Xing with a laugh. Liu agreed “for sure, better than here.”
While the pair have much to look forward to in the coming years together the focus remains on what is ahead this summer.
“I’m a really present person, so I don’t really tend to think about the future that much or even the past. I feel like I’m just trying to improve myself every day and be the best player that I can be today,” said Liu who enters next week’s national championship with three consecutive finishes inside the top 25 at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Her top finish was T15 last year.
Xing’s 18th birthday will fall on the final round of this year’s tournament in Mississauga. Last year, she celebrated her birthday in style by adding her name to a prestigious list of past champions.
“It means a lot. I think just looking at the people that have won that tournament in the past, it feels great to be part of that. It was also a great birthday gift,” said she with a smile.
When the final putt drops and the scorecards are signed, should one emerge victorious in Mississauga there is no doubt the other will be there to lead the celebrations similar to last summer in Rothesay, N.B. when Xing earned the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup.
While Liu and Xing are competitors, they are teammates and best friends first. Helping each other through the ups and downs of a season, by pushing and encouraging one another every day.
Regardless of representing Team Canada, UCLA or competing individually they will do it as they always do, together. Proving that the strongest competitors can also forge the strongest friendships.
