Rose Zhang, the world’s #1 amateur golfer and two-time NCAA champion, is turning pro

In a extended-awaited move, Rose Zhang, the two-time NCAA women’s person golf champion and longtime planet No. 1, announced Friday that she is turning pro.

The Stanford sophomore will make his debut in the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club subsequent week. Zhang, who turned 20 on Wednesday, announced her move on Instagram. She will hold a news conference subsequent Tuesday in Jersey City, N.Y., according to her agent, Kevin Hopkins of Excel Sports Management.

Zhang’s qualified debut will be a single of the most anticipated in the history of women’s qualified golf. As a 16-year-old, Zhang certified for the 2019 US Women’s Open, won the 2020 US Amateur and completed 11th at the 2020 ANA Inspiration, an LPGA key. She could have gone pro then, but decided to enroll at Stanford. Whilst most anticipated her to play just a single season of college golf, she rather spent two years with the Cardinal.

These two seasons developed a historic streak. Zhang won 12 out of 20 college tournaments, winning the unheard of. She broke Tiger Woods’ college record for total wins although playing six fewer tournaments. She also tied Laurena Ochoa for the most wins in Pac-12 women’s golf history.

Zhang won each the 2022 and 2023 women’s singles championships and led Stanford to the national group title in 2022. She also won the U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Girls Junior and the women’s nationals in Augusta.

All round, Zhang is ranked No. 1 in the Planet Amateur Golf Ranking as of September 2020, a record.

How very good is Zhang?

The accolades are also a lot of to list, but of all of them, Zhang’s most exceptional achievement may perhaps be her collegiate record.

As a freshman, the then 18-year-old set the NCAA single-season record of 69.68 in 31 rounds played.

Then, as a sophomore, she broke that record, shaving nearly an complete stroke (.98) off her prior total, and set a new mark of 68.70 in 27 rounds.

In total, 50 of Zhang’s 58 rounds as a collegian ended at par or much better. She fired 31 rounds in the 60s. In addition to her 12 wins, she posted six other best 10s.

It has extended been speculated that although playing as an amateur, Zhang primarily translated into a best-15 or best-20 player in the planet. There is no precise measure of that, but Zhang is anticipated to compete in the qualified ranks instantly.

Her coaches typically say it really is not a single region of ​​Zhang’s game that stands out the most — driving, hitting, quick game — but her entire physique and her selection-producing.

What is Zhang’s influence on women’s qualified golf?

Obtaining previously signed considerable name, image and likeness offers although in college, Zhang will enter the qualified ranks with key sponsorships currently in spot. He has seven-figure offers with Callaway, Adidas and other individuals.

Zhang’s amateur profession has normally been a point of fascination amongst golf fans. She will attract consideration early and typically like a pro.

This summer time, she is anticipated to play in all 5 tournaments and, if all goes according to program, use a series of tournament exemptions to safe her LPGA Tour card.

Immediately after the Mizuho Americas, in the subsequent two months, Zhang will play in the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach (June 22-25), the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol (July six-9), the Dana Open (July 13 .-25. 16) and the Evian Championship (July 27-30).

(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Photos)