Stanford star and top-ranked female amateur Rose Zhang is officially turning professional.
Zhang announced on Instagram on Friday that she would finally turn professional. The 20-year-old sophomore will make her debut next week at the inaugural Mizuho US Open at Liberty National Golf Club.
“The endless love, support and inspiration from so many people has gotten me to this point in my golf career,” Zheng wrote. “From my teammates to my coaches and trainers, my friends and my family – you all have been integral in my journey, making sacrifices for my success and shaping me as a person and sportsperson. You have made it possible for me to pursue my dreams… Stanford is a truly special place with special people. I will never take these incredible memories and experiences for granted. With that in mind, I look forward to continuing to earn my degree in the years to come as I pursue my professional career. Stanford fam forever.
“I appreciate everyone who continues to believe in and support me as I start this new chapter in my life. With faith in God’s plan, I can’t wait for what’s to come.”
Rose was quickly granted an exemption by the USGA on Friday to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in July. She was also exempted from the AIG Women’s Open in Surrey, England in August.
The Irvine, California, native is perhaps the best female amateur golfer in history. Zhang won the McCormack Medal – awarded by the R&A to the top amateur player in the world – three times and won the Annika Award – given to the top collegiate female player – twice. She twice set the NCAA single-season scoring record, which dropped to 68.81 during her second season, and averaged 69.42 over 62 rounds.
She won the 2020 US Women’s Amateur, 2021 US Girls Junior and Augusta National Women’s Amateur earlier this year. Zhang made the cut at the 2019 US Women’s Open at age 16 and finished tied for 11th at the 2020 ANA Inspiration – one of the five major championships on the LPGA.
She also won back-to-back individual NCAA titles – making her the first woman to do so at the Division-I level – and led the Cardinals to the national team title last year. Zhang won 12 of the 20 college tournaments she played in, including eight of the 10 she played in last season, and matched the Pac-12 women’s golf wins record. Tiger Woods won only 11 of his 26 starts while playing at Stanford.
Zhang has been ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a record 141 consecutive weeks as of September 2020.
Stanford coach Anne Walker said in a statement, “It’s cliche to say, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity to coach the greatest female amateur.” “Rose Zhang has led our team with class on and off the golf course every day for two years. She has broken every record, won every championship and led our team to the top of college golf. I am sure I will never coach anyone like Rose – she is a generational player. Everyone at Stanford is better to have Rose around and we are very pleased that she will be a Cardinal for the rest of her life.”
