Rose Zhang made extra history Sunday at Liberty National.
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JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Just earlier than the solar set over the New York City skyline Sunday night time, golf’s subsequent famous person formally arrived.
As cheers rained down from from the grandstands looming over Liberty National’s 18th inexperienced, Rose Zhang fished her ball out of the outlet and raised her palms over her mouth in disbelief. Just greater than per week after the Stanford wonderkid introduced she was turning pro, she put the ending touches on her first skilled title on the Mizuho Americas Open.
“I just can’t believe it,” Zhang mentioned.
With her playoff victory over Jennifer Kupcho, Zhang turns into the primary participant to win an LPGA title in her skilled debut since Beverly Hanson in 1951. She’ll additionally obtain a verify for $412,500, speedy membership on the LPGA Tour and eligibility to compete within the Solheim Cup this fall.
“I’ve enjoyed the journey,” Zhang mentioned. “I had so many cheers around me. All my friends and family. Just so thankful.”
She additionally assumes the mantle because the brightest younger star within the girls’s recreation, seemingly with the potential to succeed in heights that no American participant has reached in generations.
The buzz round Rose Zhang’s golf recreation has been constructing for the final a number of years. She received the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur whereas nonetheless a junior, and added the U.S. Girls’ Junior title a yr later. By the time she stepped foot on campus in Palo Alto, she had a resume that rivaled nearly anybody in newbie golf.
Zhang’s two collegiate seasons solely grew her legend. She received 12 instances whereas at Stanford, breaking the Cardinal document held by, amongst others, Tiger Woods. She received a group title in her freshman season and back-to-back NCAA particular person titles as well. Earlier this yr she triumphed on the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. When Zhang stepped foot on property at Liberty National earlier this week, her legend preceded her.
It’s not typically {that a} sponsor’s invite is a headliner, however when Zhang received the nod, the excitement instantly started to construct. Her media obligations early within the week minimize into her follow time, and there was not a participant within the subject who garnered extra ink.
“I’m human, so I certainly do feel it,” Zhang mentioned Wednesday of the burden of the second. “[But] I have a fundamental core that allows me to just keep going and not think about other people’s expectations.”
Zhang had confirmed that system labored for her within the newbie recreation. Question was, might she additionally dwell as much as the hype in her debut as knowledgeable?
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The first 54 holes of Zhang’s pro profession couldn’t have adopted a greater script. In the primary spherical of the Mizuho — the place the sphere performed alongside the brightest abilities from the American Junior Golf Association — Zhang shot a two-under 70. On minimize day, she did one higher, with a 69. Top 10 heading into the weekend is all the time good, however Zhang had her eyes on a bigger prize. With a bogey-free 66 on Saturday, the 20-year-old slept on her first 54-hole LPGA lead.
“I think it’s just great to be in [this] position,” she mentioned. “It just shows that leading up to the last three days you’ve been doing a great job at playing your best on the golf course.”
When she arrived to the course on Sunday, the expectations — and stakes — have been even weightier. Eighteen holes have been all that separated Zhang from history.
After a ferry journey to the course and fast warm-up session, Zhang stepped to the primary tee alongside Atthaya Thitikul and Anna Davis. Michelle Wie West — the match host — walked over to present Zhang effectively needs. “I’m so nervous for her!” Wie West mentioned.
Zhang’s opening tee shot cut up the center of the golf green.
But whereas birdies have been in surplus early within the week, Zhang struggled to seek out them through the closing spherical. With cool winds whipping off the Hudson River (paired with diabolical pin positions), hitting any strategy shut was powerful. A chilly putter didn’t assist Zhang’s trigger, however she performed effectively sufficient to remain atop the leaderboard.
By the time Zhang stepped to the 18th tee, she wanted only a par to finish her inconceivable run to the title.
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Although Zhang made no birdies throughout her closing spherical, she held agency because the tempo automotive. Through 17 holes, she’d dropped only one shot, a bogey on the 4th. But, as so typically is the case, ending off the match was not so easy.
Her drive off 18 sailed left and rolled into the golf green bunker, limiting her probabilities of hitting the inexperienced in regulation. After blasting out to only wanting the placing floor, Zhang spun a wedge to inside 10 toes of the outlet. One putt and the title was hers. The ball rolled finish over finish true to its line, however drifted proper on the final second, making certain bogey and a playoff in opposition to Jennifer Kupcho.
Despite the frustration, Zhang didn’t panic.
“I’ve done this before, especially at ANWA,” she mentioned. “Even though playoffs are never comfortable, I felt like it was such a familiar position that I’ve been in before.”
As the duo rode again to the 18th tee, the gang surrounding the inexperienced grew stressed. They’d waited all day for the possibility to witness history, and now there was an opportunity it could be spoiled.
Zhang refused to let that occur.
After matching with pars on the primary playoff gap, Zhang and Kupcho once more carted again to the tee field. Kupcho and Zhang each cut up the golf green, although Kupcho was 60 yards forward. No matter, Zhang stepped up and hit a towering 4-hybrid to seven toes.
“One of the best shots that I’ve ever hit,” she mentioned. “It was a very difficult shot with the wind pushing against me, but it went well.”
Kupcho three-putted from wanting the inexperienced, and the coronation formally started.
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When the handshakes and hugs have been full, a stream of AJGA gamers streamed onto the inexperienced to mob Zhang. One of Zhang’s buddies burst into tears as she embraced her pal.
“Oh my gosh, you’re crying?!” Zhang mentioned. “Even I’m not crying!”
It wasn’t way back that Zhang was competing alongside these juniors. Now, she’s beating the most effective execs on this planet.
Zhang accepted a bouquet of (what else?) roses, and the petals scattered throughout the inexperienced. Wie West embraced Zhang in a hug and put her palms on the face of golf’s latest star.
“I’m so happy for Rose,” Wie West mentioned. “I’m so proud of her.”
Mark Steinberg, the agent, bear-hugged his consumer, lifting her off her toes. Not lengthy later, Zhang’s telephone pinged letting her comprehend it was time to pose for a BeReal picture, which she did because the flashbulbs popped from the throngs of photographers encircling her.
“I really got a bit of everything,” she mentioned of her historic Sunday. “Got a taste of pressure, got a taste of the wind, and I tried to stay composed as always. I knew that golf was just a grind and you really had to dig deep. Once again, that’s what I did.”
As the solar dipped beneath the horizon, Zhang was whisked from station to station, fulfilling her obligations and posing for photos. With the crowds dissipating and coming down from the collective excessive of witnessing history, Steinberg walked off the again of the inexperienced. He might muster just one phrase.
“Amazing.”
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