AUGUSTA (Georgia) – Rose Zhang was told by many that college golf would be a disaster. That was something she hated.
She said, “I wanted to push my limits,” on the eve the final round in the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
These limits were clearly visible to the world at the Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday, when Zhang won in a playoff against Jenny Bae from Georgia, winning the title. Zhang has been a dominant player at all levels, and her decision not to play at Stanford for the past two years might have an impact on how the next great American prodigy views college-golf during this time of unprecedented exposure.
The LPGA has been home to many women’s game phenoms over the past 20 years. Zhang wanted to be herself before she set out to beat the world. This is something that can be incredibly difficult to do when you are surrounded by family on a professional level.
George Pinnell, Zhang’s long-time instructor, said that “the big reason to go college is not for the education.” It’s about getting away from your family and growing yourself. Do all the little things mom and dad did.
Anne Walker, Stanford’s head coach, told Zhang that she didn’t have any tips to help her become a better player when she recruited her. She was doing enough. Walker believed that Stanford could help Zhang in her professional aspirations, which encompasses all elements beyond technical proficiency.
Walker, for example, told her Stanford players to put away their clubs during the offseason after Zhang finished her first semester. Zhang was ill and returned to practice in January, unable to walk properly. Walker learned later that Zhang was hitting 200 balls per day during what was supposed be a down period.
Walker said to Walker, “You need to learn that resting and recovering takes as much discipline than hitting 200 balls or 200 chips.”
Zhang was disciplined and took the lesson to heart.
Zhang’s winning percentage through 16 career starts is 56.25 in two years at Stanford. Two wins shy of breaking the Cardinal record for most consecutive victories, which is held by Tiger Woods (26 start), Patrick Rodgers (35) and Maverick McNealy (45) respectively. In what could be her last semester at college, she has four more starts.
Zhang’s peers admire almost everything she does. From her hard work ethic to her keen grasp of golf swings to her effortless ability to make it look so easy, they are amazed at her professionalism. The world number one is regarded as the most beautiful person in the universe. 1. She is as loved for her character and her immense potential.
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Augusta National Women’s Amateur (@anwagolf April 1, 2023
There is a deep sense of greatness brewing.
Zhang started the round with a double bogey and a five-stroke lead going into Augusta National. This made her swing uncomfortable.
Nancy Lopez stood in front of the 18 th green Saturday and said, “Your game can make you feel humiliated.”
Zhang would benefit greatly from a longer weather break as her lead decreases.
Pinnell began working with Zhang eight-years ago. For a long time she couldn’t figure out why she hadn’t texted him during tournaments. Each student would check in with him from time to time, asking questions. He wondered if she had a coach.
Rose would not do that.
One year later, Zhang texted after a second round 75 in Stillwater, Oklahoma and said, “It’s brutal out there today”, noting the bad weather, and a swing flaw. Zhang did not answer Pinnell’s question about the flaw. She shot 67 the next day and won the tournament.
The lesson continued the following week, when Zhang sat on a bucket while Pinnell asked about Stillwater’s turnaround.
Zhang said that after she hit 75, Zhang went to the range and took her 9-iron. Zhang didn’t hit any golf balls. She just began slow-motion swings and scanning the basics she’d discussed in her head. She was able to figure it out in less than 10 minutes and then she headed off to dinner with her friends.
Pinnell said, “I almost fell off the chair.” “That was the reason she never contacted her.”
Similar circumstances played out at Augusta National. Zhang found herself again scrolling through her mind, wondering what it was like to be there.
The grip
As she approached her third shot on the par-5 13th, her “aha” moment flashed in her mind. Zhang adjusted her right hand to hit one of her best wedge shots of this week.
She said, “I believe that everyone should understand that I’m human and that I make mistakes on the golf course.”
“But I’m just really proud about myself in terms how I was capable to overcome so many media, so many expectations.”
It is not clear where Zhang’s amateur career ranks among all time. She is the only player to have won the U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Girl’s Junior, NCAA Championship, Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She is a higher level player than her peers in the college game.
JoAnne Carner won five U.S. Women’s Amateurs, and a Girls’ Junior title. She turned pro at the age of 30, which gave her a huge window of opportunity. Juli Inkster was a three-time U.S. women’s amateur champion and won 17 times in college. Lydia Ko, a U.S. women’s amateur champion, won twice as an amateur on the LPGA and topped the World Amateur Golf Ranking 130 consecutive weeks.
Zhang’s humble, gracious and positive attitude to life is reminiscent of Lorena Ochoa who was a dominant college golfer for two seasons but never won the major amateur titles like Zhang.
Pinnell said, “I’ve never seen anyone like her.”
The future is a promise that the golf world cannot wait to see.
