Can Rose Zhang convert her stunning amateur accolades into professional success?
After 141 weeks spent as the best amateur on the planet, Rose Zhang has turned professional and has a full major schedule ahead of her in 2023
What Rose Zhang has already achieved in golf is something to behold, but this is only the start.
The 20-year-old has decided to turn professional after becoming the first woman to secure back-to-back NCAA individual titles for Stanford University.
Zhang made her decision public this week and she is set to make her professional debut at the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National next week on the LPGA Tour.
She has 12 college titles in total, eight of which came this season to tie Lorena Ochoa’s record for the most wins in a single campaign.
Her dozen trophies also eclipses the mark set by Tiger Woods who made 26 appearances in total for Stanford.
Zhang has a never-ending list of amateur accolades including 141 weeks spent as the world’s No.1 amateur, and victories at the US Women’s Amateur, the US Girls’ Junior, and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur this year.
“The endless love, support and inspiration from so many people brought me to this point of my golf career,” Zhang wrote on Instagram while making her announcement.
“From my teammates to my coaches and trainers, to my friends and my family – you have all been integral in my journey, shaping me as a person and player while making sacrifices for my success. You have made it possible for me to pursue my dreams.
“Stanford is truly a special place with special people. I would never take these incredible memories and experiences for granted.
“With that in mind, while I am pursuing my professional career, I will continue to earn my degree in the years to come. Stanford fam forever.”
Zhang has already made 15 professional starts and missed just three cuts – she has also been the low amateur at two different major championships.
She has already had a taste of the US Women’s Open four times and she won the Smyth Salver at Muirfield last season.
As she also said in her social media statement, Zhang will compete in the next four majors in 2023.
Her amateur career is considered as good as any in the history of the sport and her college coach Anne Walker had her mind made up after Zhang won her last college crown.
“It’s pretty easy to wrap up,” Walker said. “Before this week, I felt like she was already solidified as the best amateur of all time.
“And what she did today, that’s just like, that’s it. That’s the period at the end of the sentence because no one’s ever done this before, and it’s so hard to do, and – yeah, she’s Rose Zhang.”
NOW READ: Rose Zhang: What’s in the bag?
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
