When David Liu boards his flight to the Dominican Republic this July, he won’t just be carrying his clubs—he’ll be carrying a dream that began more than a decade ago on the other side of the world.
Growing up in China, Liu was one of the country’s top junior golfers, representing his nation in France and Korea. But even then, he envisioned something bigger.
“My goal was to play college golf in the United States,” Liu said. “Even though I was on the junior national team and had a good resume, I always felt like I needed to get an education here. This is where golf is the best.”
That determination, and a series of unlikely doors opening at just the right time, led him to Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), where he found community, growth, and a foundation that would help propel him to professional golf’s biggest stage.
A Leap of Faith
Liu’s journey to PBA began with a leap of faith. He arrived in the United States for his senior year of high school, enrolling at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. With limited time to build a recruiting profile and no family in the United States, he relied on the kindness of a local church community that soon became a second family.
“It was really God’s grace they accepted me,” he said of the school that took him in for just one year. “It is rare for a high school to accept a senior who’s only going to be there for one year and still graduate. It was like a miracle for me.”
After graduation, he weighed offers from several NCAA Division I and Division II schools. On his campus visit, PBA felt different.
“My visit showed me everything, and I saw the beach,” Liu said. “I loved the school and the vibe was very intimate. This is where I wanted to go.”
At PBA, Liu majored in finance and embraced the University’s close-knit community.
“Everyone was so nice here,” he said. “I made a lot of friends and really enjoyed the environment. The team was great, and the athletic trainers helped me a lot. The Sunshine State Conference is probably the best conference for Division II golf.”
Liu’s love for golf began early, and his competitive edge was evident from the start.
“I’ve been playing golf since I was seven,” he said. “I started playing tournaments when I was eight or nine, and then I started winning. My parents saw I was good and invested more time in my training.”
Liu’s path wasn’t always straightforward. He attended an underground Christian school in China run by missionary neighbors before transferring to a private, Bible-based school.
At PBA, Liu’s faith continued to be a guiding force.
“The spiritual side is really important,” he said. “Pray a lot and trust in God’s plan. It changes your whole perspective.”
On the course, Liu quickly made a name for himself, leading the Sailfish in scoring during his sophomore and junior seasons. He competed for PBA from 2014-18, appearing in 25 tournaments.
“While I was in school, I won the individual title at the PGA Collegiate Minority Championship,” he said. “It’s a really cool tournament. I won it one year and was runner-up two other years. That was special.”
A Dream Realized
After PBA, Liu continued to pursue his professional aspirations while working and practicing at Dye Preserve in Jupiter Farms, a place he describes as a hidden gem.
“I worked there last season, and it’s amazing,” he said. “We have at least 15 active PGA Tour or Korn Ferry pros that I try to play with when I can. You learn a lot from playing with great players.”
That competitive environment paid off in a big way this year when Liu became the first PBA golfer to qualify for a PGA Tour event, the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic. He earned his spot by tying for first at the event’s Open Qualifier at The Park in West Palm Beach June 22, 2026.
“I have nothing to lose,” he said. “My game is in great shape. I just want to enjoy the moment and see how it goes.”
As he prepares for his PGA Tour debut, Liu remains grateful for the foundation PBA gave him and eager to encourage the next generation of Sailfish golfers.
“Surround yourself with very good players, players better than you,” he said. “Play games with them and play a lot of tournaments. You never know, two good rounds and you’re in a PGA Tour event. Just don’t give up.”
It’s simple advice from someone who’s lived it. From a young golfer in China to a PBA alumnus teeing it up on golf’s biggest stage, Liu’s story is proof that faith, resilience, and community can carry you a long way.
Want to follow the next chapter of Sailfish golf? Visit the Palm Beach Atlantic University men’s golf page to learn more about the program, meet the team, and stay up to date on the latest news by visiting https://pbasailfish.com/sports/mens-golf.
