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Rose Zhang Lives Up To The Hype By Winning In Her First Pro Start

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3 years ago

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Rose Zhang’s dominance of the amateur game and collegiate tournaments while at Stanford naturally drew a comparison to another famous alumnus of the Cardinal.

But Zhang did something on Sunday that even Tiger Woods did not do—win in pro start No. 1.

Two weeks after becoming the first woman to win the NCAA tournament in two straight years, Zhang played in the Mizuho Americas Open on a sponsor exemption and had all eyes on her after going into the final round with a two-stroke lead.

Zhang did have her difficulties during the final round, shooting a birdie-free 74. Fellow American Jennifer Kupcho caught her with a 3-under 69 to put them in a tie after 72 holes. Zhang, however, won on the second playoff hole.

Zhang said

“Obviously, I have frustrations, disappointments with my game, but I never once think about where I finish, where I should finish, et cetera. The expectation for me winning did not even cross my mind. I was just playing my game. I was having a good time out there. This is the game that I love, and I’m so thankful to be a professional doing it now.”

After winning the tournament, Zhang was presented with several roses for the win. A similar scene took place after winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April.

Zhang’s win naturally caught the attention of the golf world—including Stanford’s most famous golf alum.

The win gave Zhang automatic membership to the LPGA Tour. She became the first woman to win her pro debut since Beverly Hanson beat Babe Zaharias at the 1951 Eastern Open.

It last happened on the PGA Tour when Russell Henley won the Sony Open in Hawaii in 2013.

Cover Image Via Twitter

 
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Chris has worked in sports journalism for nearly 20 years and also loves the game of golf, even though it often doesn't love him back. Year-round golf is a perk of living in Florida, where Chris moved from his native New York shortly after graduating from college. Chris has played some famous courses in the state, including Bay Hill in Orlando and Innisbrook in the Tampa Bay area, and next on his to-do list is the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass to take a crack at the famous island hole.

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