Rose Zhang, a 20-year-old golfer from Spain, has achieved more than many players in their career.
She made the cut for the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open at age 16. She won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 2020, then the U.S. Junior Girls’ in 2021. She was awarded the Mark H. McCormack Medal for three consecutive years at the top of the world amateur golf rankings (2020,2021,2022) and became the first person to win the NCAA Individual Title twice in two consecutive seasons, in 2021-2022. Don’t forget about the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
In just a few weeks, she won her first LPGA title in 1951. She earned her LPGA card after only one start. Making history for Zhang is the same as making par.
Enters mixed event with Theegala
Zhang is always raising the bar for herself and she has another chance to do so this week. She will have to make it look easy. She is one of five American debutants who will compete in the 2023 Solheim Cup, which will take place at Finca Cortesin along Spain’s south coast.
It’s impossible to list all the achievements. Every experience I have had has been unique. She said, “This is up there,” in a Wednesday press conference. “To be able to compete in the Solheim Cup was a true dream come true. I played in two Junior Solheim Cups, one at Gleneagles and one in Des Moines. “I watched and saw all the professional players representing Europe and the U.S. at the first tee. That was the adrenaline and experience that I’ve witnessed before, and to be a a part now is really cool.”
SOLHEIM CUPP: Photos
Stacy Lewis, the U.S. captain, admitted that Rose was not on her radar for this race, but she won this year and qualified. Rose was a fantastic addition to our team.
Rose Zhang, Team USA, plays a shot at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Casares on September 20, 2023. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images).
Zhang, who had just completed two stellar years of college golf at Stanford University, was still in classes when she made her LPGA debut in June by winning the Mizuho Open.
“I am currently on leave (from Stanford). She said, “I decided not to torture me in fall quarter,” with her trademark smile. Zhang will return to school in January for the winter quarter. She’ll continue her Communication studies and her growing career.
Imagine yourself as the rising star of the golf world and choosing to further your education at Stanford, a demanding place. This speaks volumes about her character, both on and off course.
The Irvine, California native is a team player at heart. She is a team player who can play with anyone. Her game is near-perfect and she fits in well with any group. This makes her an asset for the American side, which will be facing arguably Europe’s best ever team (or at least that’s what European captain Suzann Pedersen says). Zhang doesn’t worry about her role in the team despite her match-playing prowess and her abilities.
Zhang, who is always humble, said: “I’m going fight out there in every event or match I take part in, no matter how little I play, and regardless of what my position, or whatever I should be doing for the team. No hard feelings. If that’s all I do, I enjoy cheering on my teammates from the sidelines. It’s a lot like being a part of a group.
You’re probably thinking that it sounds too good to true. Zhang is just who she really is.
