Rose Zhang will long remember her fourth stint at Augusta National. In full control of the women’s amateur championship, she almost slipped the coveted title through her fingers. His five-stroke lead melted like snow in the sun. The American held on with a win in overtime.
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A look at this graduation card from the 19-year-old American, leader in the amateur world rankings, could induce nightmares. A disastrous start and a miserable front nine could have shattered his dream just as much as a train smashing into a wall at full speed. The favorite had developed a lead that was as comfortable as it was dangerous.
A double bogey at the first pennant, three more bogeys and a birdie along the way sent the Stanford Cardinals suit holder into a cold sweat. A gifted and true star of women’s golf. But nothing can be taken for granted in Augusta.
As Zhang multiplied the blunders and erratic shots, University of Georgia Bulldogs representative Jenny Bae seized the opportunity to close the gap and get dangerously close to the point guard.
So much so that she came to him with a birdie on the 17th at -9. Zhang couldn’t hammer in the final nail to his last two pennants.
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But she arrived at the second overtime hole after a long day at Augusta National.
“I have to admit that I was very relieved when I saw the ball fall into the cup after that last short throw,” said the fourth champion in the history of the Georgian tournament. The expectations of me were high and I also had big goals. I am very grateful to be able to accept this challenge and get through this last lap.”
Although the golf gods didn’t seem to be on his side, who often dashed the hopes of the greatest golfers, Mother Nature thwarted them by forcing play to stop in the middle of the morning. A series of thunderstorms that swept across northeast Georgia caused a shutdown of about three hours.
Easy fix
This allowed Zhang to stop the bleeding as she committed a lone bogey on her return to the field, which she repaired with a birdie on her last 11 holes. But his last card of 76 (+4) represents the worst of his four performances at Augusta. A journey in which she admits to having several difficulties.
“I didn’t go into anything special during this break. But it has allowed me to get out of the course and think of something else, the American said bluntly. I needed to clear my head.
“It gave me a good feeling even though I didn’t solve anything. I’m back on track, that’s my biggest success of the day. I managed to find a way to weather the storm and stay in the moment.”
Back on course, however, Zhang corrected a minor issue with his swing. She changed her grip on the gorgeous par 5 of the 13th. This enabled him to perform higher quality recordings. A daring gesture that finally paid off.
A unique conquest
This American title is one of the few missing from its impressive tally. The Californian has been making the amateur circus world rain or shine for years. She excels in individual competitions and has been instrumental in winning team competitions. Last year, during the NCAA national championship, among other things, it had enabled the Stanford Cardinal to be crowned champion.
She also has nine career victories on the college circuit, a highlight in the history of California’s prestigious university program.
“I can’t rank my titles,” said the man who primarily counts wins at the United States Women’s Amateur Championship, the American Junior Championship and the NCAA Championship.
“Every event commemorates a special moment,” she continued. I was in each of them on different levels in my life. But this victory here in Augusta is the pinnacle of prestige. It’s a truly unique victory. I am very grateful for that.”