This episode of The Mettleset Podcast was made possible with the support of New Balance, a proud supporter of women in sport.
When Lily He turned professional in 2017 as a teenager, she quickly became one of golf’s most recognizable young talents. Eight seasons later, the LPGA star has grown into a seasoned presence on tour, navigating the realities of elite sport while building a global following and a life that increasingly bridges multiple sporting worlds.
During The Mettleset’s time on the ground at the PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh, we sat down with He to talk about the grind of professional golf, the growth of the women’s game, and what happens when golf meets Formula 1.
Here are six things we learned:
1. She Actually Loves the Grind
For He, the most rewarding moments in golf come from the work that happens long before the result.
“I think I love the grind,” she told us. “When times are tough and then you eventually get that good result… It’s really satisfying.”
That mindset has kept her motivated through nearly a decade competing at the highest level of the game.
2. Women’s Golf Is Getting Tougher – And the Stakes Are Rising
The women’s game has evolved dramatically since He first joined the professional ranks. Fields are deeper, courses are longer, and the level of competition continues to rise across the global tour.
“As a collective, all the girls have gotten so much better,” He said, noting how quickly the standard of play has advanced in recent years.
Investment in the sport is also helping accelerate that progress. Events like the PIF Saudi Ladies International now carry a $5 million purse – matching the men’s prize fund – marking a significant step toward pay parity in professional golf and reinforcing the growing momentum behind the women’s game.
3. Instagram Is Just the Highlight Reel
With more than a million followers online, He understands how social media shapes the perception of life as a professional athlete. But she’s quick to point out that what fans see online is only part of the story.
“Nowadays with social media, everything seems very glamorous – it’s always the highlight reel,” she said.
Behind those moments are long travel weeks, pressure-filled tournaments and plenty of difficult stretches that rarely make it onto Instagram. As He puts it, there are “some really tough times for everyone behind closed doors,” no matter where a player sits in the rankings.
4. Balance Is Key to Protecting Mental Health
For He, maintaining longevity in the sport means prioritizing mental wellbeing as much as physical performance.
That includes building a strong support system and giving herself time away from the intensity of competition.
“Really finding balance in my life and surrounding myself with the right people has been really important,” she explained.
5. Her Fiancé Alex Albon Now Uses the Same Sports Psychologist
He got engaged to Formula 1 driver Alex Albon earlier this year, and the crossover between their sports runs deeper than fans might expect.
In fact, Albon now works with the same sports psychologist that He uses for her golf.
“It’s the fastest sport and one of the slowest sports,” she said. “But actually the human skills are very similar.”
For both athletes, the mental side of elite sport – decision-making, composure and resilience – is where the real parallels lie.
6. She’s a Big Supporter of F1 Academy
As someone increasingly immersed in the Formula 1 world, He has also become a fan of F1 Academy, the all-female racing series designed to accelerate opportunities for women in motorsport.
“I think it’s amazing what they’ve done,” she said. “It’s great to see young women thrive in sports that are predominantly male dominated.”
With women’s golf gaining momentum globally, voices like Lily He’s offer a window into the realities behind the spotlight.
You can hear our full conversation from Riyadh on the latest episode of The Mettleset Podcast.
