One of the best amateur golfers in history is now a professional.
Rose Zhang, who announced her intention to become a professional on May 26, is competing in the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City, New Jersey.
Zhang’s impressive resume includes 12 wins at Stanford, yes more than Tiger Woods. It also includes 2022 and 2023 NCAA Women’s Championships and the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
The 20-year old started off strong on Thursday with three birdies in her first six holes. After a bogey on the par-4 ninth, she turned in a score of 2-under-34. A birdie, bogey and bogey stretch at Nos. Zhang’s round was 1 under par on the 18th. She birdied the last hole and finished with a 2-under-70.
Zhang’s professional debut was at Liberty National in one of the most scenic golf courses on the U.S. Here are 12 pictures. A field of 120 golfers is competing for $2.75m, the largest purse among non-major tournaments.
The LPGA is making its first visit to Liberty National. Liberty National hosts the Presidents Cup and several PGA Tour tournaments.
