EVANS, Ga. — Rose Zhang is a genius at making golf seem effortless. This week, the Stanford star has continued her impressive antics.
The 19-year old phenom has only made one bogey at Champions Retreat, host course for the opening two rounds. She will be entering Saturday’s final round at Augusta National Golf Club with an advantage of five shots at 13 under.
The world’s highest-ranked amateur shot the lowest round of the day on Thursday. It was a blistering 7 under 65, following her 6under 66 score in Wednesday’s first round. Zhang broke her own 18-hole tournament record and set an 18-hole tournament low score record in the first round.
A representative from equipment said it best: “There are a lot of really great players here, but there is one great one.”
These numbers and praise should not be surprising given Zhang’s standing in the game (five wins in six college starts this season) and his past history at the event. Zhang is part of the elite club of players who can play all four editions of ANWA. He has been T-17 (2019), T-3 (2021), and T-12 (2022).
ANWA: Photos
Zhang said after her record round, “I feel very grateful to be able to have this platform.” Zhang said, “It wasn’t just me that did this. I felt like I was supported by everyone. I felt the love.
“I had a whole entourage at the back of my skull.”
Zhang has won the U.S. Girls’ Junior, U.S. Ladies Amateur, and NCAA individual national championships. The ANWA is Zhang’s final event in her illustrious amateur career.
Zhang, who is always humble, said that “the job’s not over yet.” “We have to get out there and play a great round.
Those who were there last year at the ANWA saw Latanna stone give away the tournament. If any course can shake up a leaderboard it is Magnolia Lane.
Georgia fifth-year Jenny Bae and Andrea Lignell, Ole Miss senior, have done well to keep Zhang in sight this week. They should be in the mix on Saturday. After rounds 67-69, Lignell is alone second at 8 under. After a round of 4-under 68, Bae was back in third place at 7 under.
Bae said that he learned some key lessons last year and took back some of the things he needed to improve. He missed the cut in 2022. It proved to me that I could compete at this level. However, I need to focus on the small things that I don’t normally do. Yes, I have worked hard over the past year, and it paid off.
She continued, “I’m really proud about myself.” “I don’t often say that about me, and I should.”
Although Wednesday’s weather made it difficult to score, players were able to find their rhythm under Thursday’s sunny skies. The second round saw 27 players score below par compared to 12 in the first round.
The field has 72 players. A practice round will be played at Augusta National on Friday. The final round will be played on Saturday by the top 30 players and ties.
