AUGUSTA (Ga.) – Rose Zhang may be the Augusta National champion who is locked in the gates. Zhang claimed that Rachel Heck, her good friend, took photos next to Gate 5 as they waited for about half an hour before getting out.
She laughed and said, “It’s such an amazing story to tell.” The Stanford sophomore was determined to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Saturday under the most stressful conditions of her life.
Zhang and her team met with media on Saturday. They were then taken to the 12th green for a sunset photo shoot.
Zhang said, “It was perfect.” “Kindness of the calm after a storm environment.”
Rose Zhang, Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion from the United States, and Nancy Lopez, LPGA legend, pose with Anna Midyett, Girls 7-9 division, while she holds her third place overall trophy at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 2, 2023.
Then, she called her mom on the way to AirBnB to celebrate with friends and family who had flown in as far as Paris.
Zhang said of Li Cai, her mother, “She’s rock of the family.”
Zhang stated that she had only read about 10 out of the approximately 150 text messages stored on her phone. Zhang returned to her hotel at 10:30 p.m., and fell asleep around midnight.
Zhang described the feelings she had that night when she lay her head down.
Sunday morning was her first time ever walking on Augusta National without feeling any pressure. Zhang, along with her team, made another appearance on Golf Channel. She then headed to the Masters Main Golf Shop. Zhang bought a Masters crewneck sweatshirt and quarter zip, as well as a coffee mug to enjoy matcha lattes.
She said that Matcha was one of her most treasured possessions.
Rose, congratulations on this amazing accomplishment. We are proud of you, Cardinal. https://t.co/OTMpUPorNy
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 2, 2023
Zhang signed autographs as she walked to Nancy Lopez’s National Finals Drive, Chip and Putt Champions. The current World No. She then met the current World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Zhang exclaimed, “He’s such a role-model.” He is a man of many values, and I admire every part of him as a player as well as as a person. He is so kind.”
Zhang will return to Stanford Monday morning along with Heck, who walked every step on Saturday and won a victory lap on the next day.
Zhang said, “I was supposed fly out this morning.” But for me to enjoy the moment and to see Augusta National in an entirely different light… that’s crazy. “I’m extremely lucky to be here.”
