Rose Zhang Plans To Balance Golf And Studies As She Prepares For Women's Open
The 20-year-old left Stanford to turn pro earlier this year but wants to complete her studies alongside her fledgling career


Rose Zhang may be set to compete in her fourth Major as a professional at the AIG Women’s Open but the young American revealed she still wants to balance her golf with her studies and plans to return to college later this year.
After a stellar amateur career, Zhang announced her intentions to turn professional in May, making headlines again just weeks later when she became the first woman in 72 years to win on her LPGA Tour debut with a playoff victory at the Mizuho Americas Open.
But despite her meteoric rise in the professional game, Zhang still intends to see out the rest of her Stanford education, having turned pro midway through her communications degree.
“In the winter I’ll be going back to the beautiful campus and seeing my friends and being in that environment of going to class and hanging out with the team,” she said at a pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday.
“I’ll be stacking up classes in the winter quarter. Potentially taking some classes in the spring quarter, and then continuing on to continue playing golf and playing on Tour.”
Such is the talent and prowess of Zhang that the 20-year-old arrives at Walton Heath having never played in England before but amongst the favourites to triumph. With three consecutive top-ten finishes in her first Majors as a pro, it’s easy to see why.
“I know that Major championships are weighed very heavily, and very much, so these are weeks that all players want to play well in,” she added.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“But treating it as a regular event and treating yourself as just a player going out on a difficult golf course and learning how to navigate the conditions and how the course is playing, is very important for any player to be successful during that week.
“So there's a lot of pressure. There's a lot of mental toughness that you have to go through, and just learning how to be aware of that allows you to play well.”
Zhang has recorded three successive top-ten finishes in her first three Majors as a professional
Last year’s Women’s Open at Muirfield saw the American capture the Smyth Salver for the low-amateur score with a T28 finish. But while her experiences at Gleneagles and Carnoustie may have prepared her for the rigours of Major championship golf, Walton Heath - with its heather and inland location - represents somewhat of a different challenge this week.
“I knew that Walton Heath when I first came here, and when I first heard about it, it wasn't really a links-style golf course,” Zhang said when asked about the course.
“The heather is beautiful but it's terrible to be in. Not somewhere you want to be this week. And I will say that I believe the course is beautiful. It's playing a little bit softer just because there's so much rain.
“I think if the golf course continues to be wet, there's bound to be really good players who are going to score low.”
Zhang gets underway alongside defending champion, Ashleigh Buhai and two-time Major champion, Brooke Henderson.

Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
David Lipsky Facts: 15 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
David Lipsky has built a successful career since turning professional in 2011 – here are 15 things to know about him
By Mike Hall
-
Michael Block Sets Early Pace In PGA Championship Qualifier
The 2023 PGA Championship hero is off to a flying start in an event that offers places at this year’s edition of the Major
By Mike Hall
-
Chevron Championship Prize Money Payout 2025
Nelly Korda won her second Major at the 2024 edition of the Chevron Championship
By Mike Hall
-
12 Big Names Who Missed The Cut At The Chevron Championship
The first women's Major of 2025 is at its halfway stage and, heading into the weekend, a number of notable players failed to reach the two-over-par cutline
By Matt Cradock
-
What Is The Cut At the Chevron Championship?
The first of five women's Majors of the year, what do players need to do make the cut at the Chevron Championship?
By Paul Higham
-
Yani Tseng Won Five Majors Putting Right-Handed, But Now She's Flipped Sides - Here's Why...
A dominant force in the women's game 15 years ago, Tseng has lost her way since and is now employing a "last resort" putting tactic in order to play well again
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Nelly Korda Looking At Another Putter Switch After Shooting 77 in Chevron Championship
World No.1 Nelly Korda was almost in tears after her first-round 77 at the Chevron Championship, and was looking to instantly make another change of putter as a result
By Paul Higham
-
Chevron Championship Tee Times: Round Four
Hae Ran Ryu and Mao Saigo share the lead with one round to play at The Club at Carlton Woods
By Mike Hall
-
Charley Hull Social Media Video Reveals Brutal Weather Conditions Ahead Of Chevron Championship
Charley Hull has added a video to her Instagram stories showing strong wind and heavy rain in Texas ahead of the first women's Major of the year
By Mike Hall
-
How To Watch Chevron Championship Final Round: Live Streams, TV Channels, Schedule
All the details on how to watch Chevron Championship online and on TV from anywhere, as the first women's Major of 2025 takes place at Carlton Woods this week.
By Roderick Easdale