Fresh off her historic professional debut win, Rose Zhang is set to compete in her first major tournament at the Women's PGA Championship held at Baltusrol. The 20-year-old Californian stunned the golfing world by winning the Mizuho Americas Open earlier this month, becoming the first LPGA Tour winner in her pro debut in 72 years. This victory followed her second consecutive NCAA individual title, solidifying her position as a rising star in women's golf.
Since her win, Zhang has been busy with media appearances, endorsements, and final exams at Stanford. Despite a demanding schedule, she aced a challenging computer science test and is now ready to focus on the upcoming major. This week's tournament marks the second major of the women's golf season and features all 11 LPGA Tour winners from this year. Zhang acknowledges the increased demands on her time as a professional but remains confident and composed.
She admits that juggling professional obligations has limited her practice time, preventing her from the extensive range sessions she's accustomed to. However, she views this week as an opportunity for fine-tuning her game. Zhang credits her family and friends for keeping her grounded amidst the whirlwind of her recent success. She's also received support from prominent figures like Steph Curry, further boosting her confidence.
Zhang's Mizuho Americas Open victory served as validation of her ability to compete at the highest level, and she's eager to continue proving herself. The Women's PGA Championship boasts a strong field, including World No. 1 Jin Young Ko and Chevron Championship winner Lilia Vu. U.S. Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis has acknowledged Zhang as a potential candidate for the team, adding another layer of excitement to her performance.
A humorous anecdote involving defending champion In Gee Chun, who was briefly denied entry to the locker room due to a misplaced identification badge, adds a lighthearted touch to the pre-tournament atmosphere.
