Pro golfer Rose Zhang has historic win in LPGA debut
It would have been nearly impossible for 20-year-old Rose Zhang to begin her LPGA career than what she did this weekend.
Zhang made her professional debut in this weekend's Mizuho Americas Open and took home the victory by winning a playoff against Jennifer Kupcho.
That makes Zhang the first player to win their LPGA debut since 1951.
Beverley Hanson was the last woman to win their pro debut by winning the 1951 Eastern Open.
The win means Zhang will take home $412,500 in prize money and is automatically on the LPGA tour.
Zhang claimed the win this weekend with a par on the second playoff hole. That came after she shot two-over in the final round and nearly gave away her chance at the win.
Prior to this weekend's tournament Zhang was one of the top amateur golfers in the world, having won the 2020 U.S. Women's amateur and back-to-back NCAA Division I titles in 2022 and 2023. By doing so she was the first woman to win that individual title on two different occasions.
Zhang was almost in disbelief after winning, saying in a TV interview after the competition: "What is happening? I just can't believe it," she said in a TV interview. "It was just last week that I won NCAAs with my teammates, and to turn pro and come out here, it's just been amazing."
She made the decision to turn pro less than two weeks ago, making the announcement on May 26. Now she already has a professional victory in her first ever tournament.
More must-reads: