On Sunday a once-in-a-generation talent will prepare to do something that hasn’t been done on the LPGA since 1951.
A former star at Stanford coming off a title defense at the 2023 NCAA Championship just 13 days ago, 20-year-old Rose Zhang is making her pro debut this week at the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open and holds a two-shot lead entering the final round.
Zhang fired a 6-under 66 on Saturday at Liberty National in Jersey City, New Jersey, to rise to 11 under, two shots clear of Atthaya Thitikul (68), Aditi Ashok (68) and Cheyenne Knight (70). Minjee Lee sits fifth at 7 under.
“I think it’s just great to be in that position. It just shows that leading up the last three days you’ve been doing a great job at playing your best on the golf course,” she said after her round. “And I think that for me, I’ve been in this position before, but I haven’t been in this position as a professional, since this is my first week, so I’m really just learning everything that I could. Tomorrow [Sunday], I’ll be just trying to figure out what it feels like to be in the final group, navigate my way through, and I’m sure by the end of the day I’ll be able to, you know, just build my character more.”
The LPGA has been starved for a new American star, and Zhang is just 18 holes away from stepping into the spotlight.
Final round coverage starts Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock, then live TV coverage takes over on Golf Channel at 5 p.m. ET.
What she would accomplish
It’s an impressive list of what Zhang could accomplish if she can finish on top Sunday. She would be the:
- First player to win in her first start on the LPGA since Hinako Shibuno at the 2019 AIG Women’s Open
- First player to win while making her pro debut on the LPGA since Beverly Hanson in 1951
- First non-member to win on the LPGA since Maja Stark won the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational
- Fourth sponsor invite to win an LPGA event, joining Lydia Ko in 2013, Lexi Thompson in 2011 and Hee Kyung Seo in 2010
A victory would also give Zhang ability to accept automatic LPGA membership, where she could start earning official money and Race to CME Globe Points for the 2023 season.