World No.1 Amateur Rose Zhang Announces Decision To Turn Pro
The 20-year-old made the announcement on Instagram and will play in next week's Mizuho Americas Open on the LPGA Tour
World No.1 women's amateur Rose Zhang has announced she is turning professional.
The 20-year-old made the announcement on Instagram, and also confirmed she will make her professional debut at next week’s Mizuho Americas Open on the LPGA Tour.
In a lengthy message, the 20-year-old began: “Wow… it’s finally happening. I am excited to announce that I am officially turning professional and will be making my debut at the @mizuholpga next week!”
A post shared by Rose Zhang (@rosezhang)
A photo posted by on
Zhang also confirmed she would continue to earn her degree at Stanford, writing: “Stanford is truly a special place with special people. I would never take these incredible memories and experiences for granted. With that in mind, while I am pursuing my professional career, I will continue to earn my degree in the years to come. Stanford fam forever.”
A post shared by Golf Monthly (@golfmonthly)
A photo posted by on
Zhang also announced that, among a packed schedule, she will compete in all four remaining Majors this year. That’s thanks to a special exemption she has received from The R&A to play in this year’s AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath, which was handed to her after her announcement.
In a separate statement, Zhang said: “I am honoured to have received a special exemption for the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath. I would like to thank The R&A for providing me with this incredible opportunity at the very beginning of my professional career and I hope to make the most of it.
“I have great memories of winning the Smyth Salver at Muirfield last year and was proud to see my name alongside so many great names on that trophy. This year I will be competing at the AIG Women’s Open for the first time as a professional. The AIG Women’s Open is a championship I would love to win one day and if that were to be at Walton Heath it would be very special.”
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.
Zhang’s announcement marks the latest news in an incredible week. As well as celebrating her 20th birthday, she surpassed Tiger Woods for number of wins as a Stanford University golfer with her second NCAA Individual Championship. Then, she was handed the Annika Award for best college female plater for the second year running.
Among her many achievements as an amateur, Zhang competed in the US Women's Open in 2019 aged 16. The year after, she claimed her best finish in a Major to date with a tie for 11th in the Chevron Championship. The same year, she won the US Women's Amateur. More recently, in April, she won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in a dramatic playoff over Jenny Bae.
Zhang leaves the amateur game having spent a record 141 consecutive weeks at the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking. She surpassed the previous record of 135 weeks, which had been held by Leona Maguire, last month.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
The LPGA Tour returns to the US after a three-tournament spell in the Far East with the event at Palos Verdes Golf Club in Los Angeles
By Mike Hall Published
-
Valspar Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
There’s a strong field for the last of the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing, including World No.5 Xander Schauffele
By Mike Hall Published
-
Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
The LPGA Tour returns to the US after a three-tournament spell in the Far East with the event at Palos Verdes Golf Club in Los Angeles
By Mike Hall Published
-
New Women’s Professional Golf Tour Launches In The UK
Ladies Pro Series launches to give developmental female golfers greater playing opportunities
By Alison Root Published
-
Junior Star Posts Heartfelt Message After Caddie Dies During Tournament Week
Rick Evans - affectionately known as 'Goose' - was caddying for 17-year-old Yana Wilson during a practice round in Florida when a medical incident occurred
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘I Wasn't Making Any Money' - LPGA Winner Opens Up On Realities Of Financial Strain Involved In Women's Pro Golf
Following her debut LPGA Tour victory, Bailey Tardy admitted she "wasn't making any money" at times last season and detailed the pressures of trying to make it in the pro game
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How An Amateur Golfer Produced The Winning Moment In A Professional Event
Amateur LuJain Omar Khalil provided the winning moment on Saturday evening at the Aramco Team Series - Tampa
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Transgender Golfer Hailey Davidson Issues Emotional Response After Being Banned By Women's Pro Tour
Hailey Davidson condemned the decision by NXXT Golf which now requires all eligible golfers to be female at birth
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024
One of the most lucrative events of the season takes place at Bay Hill as Kurt Kitayama defends his title
By Mike Hall Published
-
Blue Bay LPGA Prize Money Payout 2024
The biggest payout of the 2024 LPGA Tour season so far is on offer as the tournament returns following a six-year absence
By Mike Hall Published