Rose Zhang turns pro following one of the most decorated amateur careers of all-time

May 26, 2023 | by Jim Young of AmateurGolf.com

Rose Zhang (Stanford Athletics photo)

The back-to-back NCAA champion from Stanford will make her professional debut next week at the Mizuho Americas Open

Following the most decorated amateur career in women's golf history, Stanford sophomore Rose Zhang announced today she will begin her professional career next week at the Mizuho Americas Open.

The announcement brings the curtain down on her glorious two-year collegiate career, which saw her win a school-record 12 career titles in 20 starts, besting Tiger Woods (26 events), Patrick Rodgers (35 events) and Maverick McNealy (45 events) who all won 11 times. Zhang also matched Lorena Ochoa for the most wins in Pac-12 history and she finished the season with a 68.81 scoring average over 31 rounds, nearly a stroke better than her 69.68 NCAA record from freshman season.

"I am excited to announce that I am officially turning professional and will be making my debut at the Mizuho Americas Open next week!" Zhang posted on Instagram. "The endless love, support and inspiration from so many people brought me to this point of my golf career. 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."

"It's cliche to say, but I never dreamed of having the opportunity to coach the greatest female amateur of all-time," Stanford's Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women's Golf Anne Walker said. "Rose Zhang has led our team with class both on and off the golf course every day for two years. She's broken every record, won every championship and taken our team to the top of college golf. I'm quite certain I'll never coach anyone quite like Rose again - she's a generational player. Everyone at Stanford is better for having been around Rose and we are so glad she will be a Cardinal for Life."

Additionally, Zhang has received special exemptions into the U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach, July 6-9 and the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath, August 10-13.

Zhang plans to remain enrolled at Stanford and continue pursuing her degree in communication.

• • • • •

Zhang Career Highlights
• 12 Stanford wins, the most in school history, in just 20 events
• Tied with Lorena Ochoa for the most in Pac-12 women's golf history
• 8 victories in 2022-23 in just 10 events
• Tied for most in women's collegiate golf history
• Tied with Tiger Woods for most in Stanford golf history for a single season
• Twice set NCAA single-season scoring average record, with a 68.81 sophomore-season scoring average and 69.68 freshman average
• Set NCAA career scoring average record with 69.24 average in 62 career rounds
• Two-time WGCA Golfer of the Year
• Two-time Annika Award winner
• Two-time NCAA individual champion, the first woman to accomplish that feat
• Two-time First-Team All-American
• 2023 Pac-12 Champion
• 2023 Augusta National Women's Amateur champion
• 2021 U.S. Girls Junior champion
• 2020 U.S. Women's Amateur champion
• Three-time McCormack Medal winner
• 2022 Honda Sport Award for Golf winner
• 2022 Pac-12 Golfer and Freshman of the Year

• • • • •

Rose Zhang's Notable Amateur Victories
• 2018 PING Invitational
• 2019 Rolex Tournament of Champions
• 2020 U.S. Women's Amateur
• 2020 Rolex Girls Junior
• 2020 PING Invitational
• 2020 Rolex Tournament of Champions
• 2021 U.S. Girls’ Junior
• 2021 Molly Collegiate Invitational
• 2021 Windy City Collegiate
• 2021 Stanford Intercollegiate
• 2021 The Spirit International Amateur
• 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Championship
• 2022 Women's Carmel Cup
• 2022 Stanford Intercollegiate
• 2022 Pac-12 Preview
• 2023 Juli Inkster Meadow Club Intercollegiate
• 2023 Augusta National Women's Amateur
• 2023 Pac-12 Championships
• 2023 NCAA Championships

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