Rose Zhang's LPGA Career Begins With Highlight-Filled 2-Under 70 at Liberty National
Rose Zhang, arguably the best amateur in women's golf history, teed it up for the first time Thursday as a professional.
If one round is any indication, the Californian is right where she belongs.
Zhang shot a 2-under 70 at the Mizuho Americas Open, tied for fourth in the morning wave at Liberty National Golf Club just outside New York City. Lauren Hartlage held the early lead at 7 under.
"It felt pretty regular once I got into the zone," she said. "Once I played a couple holes, I realized this is just another round of golf, just going out there trying to shoot the best number I can."
Zhang got out to a fast start, going 3 under through her first six holes. After giving one back with a bogey at the 9th, she chipped in for birdie at the par-5 13th.
Zhang made back-to-back bogeys at Nos. 14 and 15, but added one more highlight with a 15-footer for birdie at the par-4 18th.
Zhang, 20, finished her first pro round hitting 13 of 14 fairways, 14 of 18 greens and taking 30 putts.
"Being out there was just a great experience," she said.
Last weekend, the Stanford legend became the first back-to-back NCAA women's champion. In April, she won the Augusta National Women's Amateur. She also won the 2021 U.S. Girls Junior and the 2020 U.S. Women's amateur, and spent nearly three years atop the women's World Amateur Golf Ranking.