Angela Zhang sank a 25-foot putt downhill for birdie at the second playoff hole in order to qualify for the historic U.S. Women’s Open this year, which will be held at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Zhang will have a memorable week as she competes in her first professional tournament.
Zhang said, “I am super excited to compete at Pebble Beach in what is arguably the best professional women’s golf tournament in the entire world.” “And to be able play with all the LPGA stars I have looked up to will be an incredible experience,” she added.
Nelly Ko and Lydia Ko are the stars she would most like to meet.
Zhang, who turns 14 on 5 May, was making her third attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. She shot 70-73 on the 36-hole qualifying round to earn her place in a four-for-2 playoff. Two players advanced from the field of Shannopin Country Club, Pittsburgh. Amelia Garvey, a former USC golfer, birdied the opening playoff hole and won the top spot.
Meet Angela Zhang. She qualified for @uswomensopen by sinking a 25 foot birdie putt at the second playoff hole in Pittsburgh. She’s the youngest woman to win the Washington State Women’s Am at age 13.
Angela Zhang pic.twitter.com/Msm8cFZrsE
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) May 10, 2023
The 78th U.S. Women’s Open is scheduled to take place at Pebble Beach from July 6-9, the site of six U.S. Opens. Opens. It will be the very first time that a women’s main is held there.
Morgan Pressel qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open when she was 12 years old. In 2005, as an amateur, she came close to winning the championship at Cherry Hills by taking a second place. Morgan Pressel will be the lead analyst on NBC’s coverage at Pebble Beach. She has some advice for young golfers: “I’d sign up for practice round with everyone you look up to and want to play with if there are spots available.” Do not be afraid to say hello or introduce yourself in the locker room.
Zhang’s week began with her qualifying for a major. She will fly back to Washington on Wednesday to prepare for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, which takes place at The Home Course near DuPont. Zhang, who was 13 years old at the time, won both Washington State Women’s Amateur & Junior Titles last year.
Alice Ziyi Zhao is her partner in the Four-Ball, and she’s also 14. The Four-Ball field has 18 players between the ages 12 and 15
Zhang and Zhao first met at the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships five years ago. Zhao, who was 13 years old at the time, won a medal in stroke-play qualifier at the U.S. women’s Amateur Chambers Bay last year.
Zhang, who is in eighth grade, takes core courses at the freshman level as part of a Bellevue Washington advanced curriculum. Kevin, her father and an IT professional from China, introduced Zhang to golf when he was in his 30s. Angela was raised in China, although she was born in Opelika in Alabama. The Zhangs decided to move to the U.S. in 2014 to provide their children with more opportunities.
Zhang won four AJGA tournaments and seven Washington Junior Golf Association championships last year. She has won so many titles in her short career that she can’t keep track.
She said: “I don’t think I’ve kept up with the numbers, but maybe 50 or 60?” Or perhaps more. I don’t even know.”
Claire Kung, Angela Zhang, and Zoe Moore, after they finished as the top three girls in the 7-9 age group at the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship held on September 9th, 2018 in University Place, Washington. (Photo by Abbie parr/Getty images for the DC&P Championship).
Kevin was certain that his daughter possessed a special gift, especially her natural touch around and on the greens.
Zhang played in front of the television cameras for the first time at age 9, when she won the Girls 7-9 Division at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals held at Augusta National. Zhang, who is 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 105 pounds, was 9 years old when she won the Girls 7-9 division at the Drive Chip and Putt National Finals in Augusta. She won by 33 yards. She won the driving, chipping, and putting competitions.
Zhang’s mentality at Augusta National is the same as it is in every moment of high stakes.
She said, “I remind myself it’s only golf.” “I play golf every day. Just trust that I know what to do.”
