SPRINGFIELD (N.J.) — Rose Zhang, who played for Baltusrol in the finals of the Baltusrol Cup, was satisfied with her performance but not with how she performed.
This simple statement reveals a lot about a 20 year old who competed in her first major as a professional. Zhang came within one shot of winning the KPMG Women’s PGA on Sunday. However, she was three shots behind Ruoning Yin from China, who sank a 12-footer to win the major.
Zhang, who had won her first LPGA tournament as a pro earlier this month, in New Jersey, finished with a score of 67, and was tied for eighth. She earned $214.811, which brings her total earnings as a professional to $627.311.
It’s a completely different dynamic to play as a pro versus an amateur, said Zhang. “You have to be very precise with your numbers and understand your swing, there’s no room for mistakes.” “I’m looking forward to working on my game to make it perfect for the U.S. Women’s Open in Pebble Beach.”
Jason Gilroyed said that Zhang played at her B+ level this week and still had the chance to win.
Gilroyed recalled a sloppy triple on the eighth hole and a sloppy seven-hole bogey on Friday as two stretches that could have been the difference. Zhang is not known for being sloppy.
Zhang said of the test this week, “You must be alert at all times.” “Losing focus can lead to errors and you cannot afford that at a major championship.”
Zhang will be heading to Pebble Beach Golf Links in California for the U.S. Women’s Open after a week’s break. Last year, she set a women’s course-record at Pebble Beach when shot 63 on the second round at the 2022 Carmel Cup at Stanford.
