Tiger Woods played two years at Stanford. (Photo courtesy of Stanford). The next day, Zhang shot 67 and won the tournament. That would be Irvine resident Rose Zhang, a senior at Pacific Academy, a high-academics kindergarten-through-12th-grade private school in Irvine. Shes competing in her third Girls Junior PGA Championship an event she won in 2017 and finished as runner-up last year which gets underway Tuesday at Keney Park Golf Course in Hartford, Conn. Its a far cry from where Zhangs competitive golf career began, as a 10-year-old on the Southern California PGA Junior Development Tour. 16 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Less than 12 hours after nationals, she turned pro, having competed against in her two-year stint in Tucson 1,880 golfers and beated all but 15 of them. Her father has been with her every step of the way and has been very instrumental for Rose on her mental outlook on the game and on life, said Pinnell. [7], Following the win, Zhang rose to number 1 in theWorld Amateur Golf Rankingin September 2020 after finishing T-11 at the2020 ANA Inspiration, an LPGA major. This is Augusta National. But she doesnt like to hear that. And I think she knows that. But thats not the answer, he said with a laugh. He believes so much in his players and loves what he is doing to help junior golfers grow. It helps make me relax and believe in what I do, she says. She celebrated her victory by flying to Evian, France, where she competed in another LPGA major, the Amundi Evian Championship, and made the cut. AUGUSTA, Ga. Rose Zhang is the World No. She was named by American Junior Golf Association as the 2019 Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year. The day-to-day grind caught up with Zhang around the beginning of the year, when she battled tendinitis in her arm and wrist. I have been working with George since I was 14. She does some amazing things, said George Pinnell, who has been Zhangs coach going on seven years. She jumped in with LPGA Hall of Fame champ Patty Sheehan. She takes the game seriously, yet accepts the results as they come. This is the first tournament of the2023 Golfweek Junior Tournament Series. In 2019, Zhang was one of the youngest competitors in the Augusta National Women's Amateur. What is it about Zhang that makes her so good? The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. It was really a special day for women in golf. She doesnt make many mistakes. Aside from 11th in last years ANA, she made the cut in Evian Championship this year. Her golf schedule forces her to miss plenty of school time. "Rose Zhang's game has risen to new heights (just don't tell her that)", "202122 Women's Golf Roster Rose Zhang", "Migliaccio, U.S. team bring home gold medals at Pan-Am Games", "Players of year Maxwell Moldovan, Rose Zhang headline AJGA All-Americans", "Rose Zhang wins U.S. Women's Amateur after Gabriela Ruffels' repeat hopes end on lip-out", "Rose Zhang's late-summer hot streak results in WAGR bump, Mark H. McCormack Medal", "Rose Zhang Earns Third Mark H McCormack Medal", "Adidas signs its first name, image, likeness deal with female golfer", "No. Bront Wittpenn/The Chronicle Zhang has spent the past 104. 11. At the 2019 Pan American Games, she was on the winning U.S. mixed-gender team and placed eighth in the individual competition. 1 in Golfstat and also boast the top-ranked amateur and college player in sophomore Rose Zhang.. Steve also is in the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and was the first journalist to receive the Contribution to Education award from the Orange County Department of Education. He is always there to check in with how I am feeling before and after the rounds. True, so lets not hand the precocious teenager a trophy cabinet full of major silverware just yet. 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Zhang has played her first nine rounds of college golf in in 23 under par, with an average score of 69.1. She was different.. This July, Zhang won the U.S. Girls Junior becoming the first player to win the U.S. Womens Am before the Junior. I dont set specific goals, but try to keep myself in a strict practice, said Zhang. It's been a great month of golf for me so far thanks to George Pinnell! She won the 2020 U.S. Women's Amateur and the 2022 NCAA Division I Championship. George has taught some of the best players in the world and helped them to where they are now in their careers. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open. Sometimes I tend to quick it up and I definitely feel it. Coaches, ADs and staff who do not have current access may request their free account here. His ability to recognize anything from small details to major mistakes has greatly improved the consistency of my swing. But remember the name: Zhang looks like the real deal. Then I readjust what I need to do.. Phil Mickelson won three NCAA titles at ASU. Im confident I have a chance, she says. She defeated then reigning U.S. Womens Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffles on the 36th hole to crown herself the champ last year,and officially became the No. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) "A lot of us want a little more than just golf," said Stanford sophomore Angelina Ye, who finished 15th and walked most of the back nine with Zhang. At the 2019 U.S. Womens Open, Pinnell saw Lydia Ko in the clubhouse and reintroduced himself to the 15-time LPGA winner. [5][6], Zhang won the U.S. Women's Amateur in August 2020 after defeating Gabriela Ruffels in the final on the 38th hole. She also credits her father for developing her into a tough competitor. Here's a look at this season's current boys basketball statewide leaders in points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, free throws and 3-pointers. He has a very personal style where he has individual chats with her, where he listens to her as much as she listens to him. Zhangs father was on the bag during her low-am run at the 2020 ANA and her U.S. Womens Amateur win. Zhangs father was on the bag during her low-am run at the 2020 ANA and her U.S. Women's Amateur win. And after watching her spend time practicing on the range,. Now, with a Girls Junior PGA and ANA Junior Inspiration championship under her belt (which landed her an LPGA. George quickly put her back on track for progress and health. George and I have become good friends during our time spent together during the last few years. Zhang chalked it up to bad course management. Her swings may look effortless and her rhythm unmatchable, but effortlessness is only achieved in daily, boring work 300 range balls, 100 straight 4-footers and then taking that work to the course. 20022023 Irvine Company, LLC. We could not thank George enough for devoting some of his time to Angie's interest! The day-to-day grind caught up withZhang around the beginning of theyear, whenshe battled tendinitis in her arm and wrist. 2023 . 1-ranked amateur womens golfer on Earth. They will join Neighbours icons Stefan Dennis, Alan Fletcher, Ryan Moloney, and Jackie Woodburne, who were already confirmed as back on board for the reboot. George has given me a tremendous amount of help with all parts of the game including the swing, short game and putting as well as the mental part of my game. Hes worked with 50 AJGA All-Americans over the years, including a young Kevin Na and Anthony Kim. I was always very into my golf game and didnt really have time to talk to other people. What characteristics about Zhang make her stand out from her competition? Shot 64 to finish 2nd stage Japan Q-school to finish 3rd!!! For me, Im learning so much from watching her, said Stanford womens coach Anne Walker. She was on the cusp of winning the 72nd US Girls' Junior Championship at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Md., but had lost the. 1 women's amateur and one of the favorites to win the Augusta National Women's Amateur. Still, her early accomplishments have been nothing but stellar. As Georges student for the past 6 years, to say that he has helped my golf game is an understatement. I showcased this inspiration almost immediately after receiving the award when I won the Rolex Tournament of Champions to start off 2020. That kind of self-awareness is only possible for someone who constantly works within themselves to achieve peak performance. He is very experienced and is truly an amazing person. Players field: 43 of top 50 in OWGR, no Tiger, CL: Few devils in details of Tour's event restructure, Rahm falters with 76 in wind: 'It's f**king hard', Pod: Blessings, Colonial, & remembering Sykes, Day after Pebble record, Zhang wins fall opener, Zhang low am; likely headed back to Stanford. Zhang began playing golf at age 9 and now, at 18, is the best amateur player in the world. Golf Channel, All Rights Reserved. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images). I loved the campus, the practice facility, the academic opportunities there and my coach and my teammates.. Rose Zhang kicked off her sophomore season with a Pebble Beach course record and later a dominating victory at the Carmel Cup. In nine college rounds, the Irvine, Calif., native has shot par or better eight times, is a collective 23 under par and has an impressive stroke average of 69.11. In May 2022, Zhang won the individual NCAA Championship by 3 shots. Coach George has been a critical factor for my daughter, Angie Zhang, in her golf pursuit. Zhang is No. Zhangs desire to focus on the process and not the results; her ability to zone in on her fundamentals, to be in total sync with her game; the caliber and quality of people with whom she surrounds herself, all boils down to one person Zhangs father, Henry. And not only does he teach my daughter golf skills, he also coaches her on mental guidance and how to be a better person. Shell be three back of the leader and the next thing you know, she finds a way to get something done.. Coming from that week, I learned a lot, and could gain more improvement on my game. Watching her overall, the big word that I take away is the sheer joy of watching a very patient player.