Adam Hunger/AP
Rose Zhang kisses the trophy after winning the Mizuho Americas Open golf tournament in Jersey City on Sunday.
CNN –
Twenty-year-old golfing phenom Rose Zhang made her mark in history again on Sunday by defeating Jennifer Kupcho in a sudden-death playoff at the Mizuho Americas Open, becoming the first player to make her professional debut in 1972 an LPGA tournament won years.
After hitting a six-under 66 on Saturday, Zhang went into the finals at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey with a two-shot lead over Atthaya Thitikul, Aditi Ashok and Cheyenne Knight.
But Sunday’s final round was a rollercoaster ride for the two-time NCAA women’s golf national champion.
Zhang had a chance to take a two-shot lead on the 16th hole, but missed an easy birdie putt, giving him a slight advantage over Kupcho. Zhang narrowly avoided dropping a shot on the 17th hole and made it to the difficult 18th hole with a crucial 10-foot par save.
With victory in sight, Zhang missed a putt that could have brought the win, sending the tournament into a sudden death playoff with Kupcho. Both golfers managed to recover from bad shots on the first playoff hole and posted par saves. On the second playoff hole, Kupcho’s three-putt opened the door for Zhang, who sealed her historic win with a par.
She finished the last round with a 2 over par 74 and a 9 under par in the tournament.
Zhang, who turned pro on May 26 after a historic career at Stanford, is the second player ever and the first since Beverley Hanson in 1951 to win an LPGA tournament in her pro debut.
“What’s going on? I just can’t believe it. It was just last week when I won the NCAAs with my teammates and it was just awesome to turn pro and come here. I’ve enjoyed the journey,” he said Zhang on the Golf Channel, “I had so many cheers all around me from all my friends and family. I’m just so grateful.”
In a long list of accomplishments, the 20-year-old also became the first-ever to win the NCAA singles national title and an LPGA Tour win in the same season.
Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire/AP
Rose Zhang on the first tee during Sunday’s LPGA Mizuho Americas Open finals.
In May, Zhang capped off her collegiate career at Stanford by defending her NCAA national championship title, becoming the first golfer in history to win back-to-back individual national titles.
By winning at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, Zhang tied for the most wins of her NCAA career at 12 with Lorena Ochoa and surpassed four others, including Stanford alumnus and 15-time major champion Tiger Woods.
After her first LPGA Tour win, Woods congratulated Zhang on Twitter, saying, “Incredible weeks for Rose Zhang, she defends her NCAA title and then wins in her pro debut. Go Card!” Stanford’s sports teams are as Cardinal known.
As for what’s next for the budding star, she must first focus on completing her semester at Stanford, telling reporters her thoughts are on final exams.
“It definitely concerns me. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it. I have an essay to write, PSAT for CS due. We’ll find out. I’m also moving on the 13th so I have a busy week ahead and it has nothing to do with golf,” she said.
Despite the busy school schedule, fans can expect to see a lot more of her on the LPGA Tour, according to Zhang.
“I’m super excited,” she said during the press conference. “You’ll be seeing me on the LPGA Tour more often as I’m a member starting now and will be playing in 2023.”