With the technology and his ability to analyze my swing effectively, my game has really improved greatly in each stage of junior and amateur golf. Maybe someday Woods will ask for a snapshot with her. Then I readjust what I need to do.. But she has realized that she needs to limit her circle and try to shut out any external stuff that may be negative.. But her achievements havenot come without routine discipline and a dedicated work ethic, and Zhang has honed in on what her keys are to success. This is the first tournament of the2023 Golfweek Junior Tournament Series. It's a rapid. I was just like, Oh well, Ill just act natural, Zhang said. It helps make me relax and believe in what I do, she says. 1-ranked amateur in September after finishing T-11 at the ANA Inspiration. Less than 12 hours after nationals, she turned pro, having competed against in her two-year stint in Tucson 1,880 golfers and beated all but 15 of them. The information and support he gives to his players is really valuable. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking since September 2020. Instant access to the latest news, videos and photos from around the world of golf. 34. For us, Coach George Pinnell has been the best coach ever to help my daughter Alesia Barry succeed as a junior golfer. She has a lot of great opportunities and when she has those opportunities she has the mental fortitude to stay patient, stay calm, stay focussed. I think inside of her, shes got a lot of confidence.. Zhangs father was on the bag during her low-am run at the 2020 ANA and her U.S. Womens Amateur win. Zhang chalked it up to bad course management. Oct 17, 2021. That was very frustrating since she started golf late and had only been playing for two and half years. Aug 28, 2021. First, she stays in the present. Since then, Zhangs diligence toward golf has paid off in wins. 21.8301. No mens or womens player in school history has won her first three starts, and just six womens golfers in program history have won three times in their entire careers. If Stanford is to repeat as NCAA champion, it may have to do so without one of its best players. For us, Coach George Pinnell has been the best coach ever to help my daughter Alesia Barry succeed as a junior golfer. On a school day, practice begins for Zhang at 2:30 p.m. and ends at 7:30, consisting of 200-300 golf balls on the range and an hour each for chipping and putting. Less than a week after the death of Renton Laidlaw, news comes that fellow golf writer Dave Hamilton has gone to that great press tent in the sky. It changed my daily schedule that I was so used to., Although frustrating at times, the break was a turning point in Zhangs career. It changed my daily schedule that I was so used to., Although frustrating at times, the break was a turning point in Zhangs career. Pinnell doesnt speak unless Zhang initiates. In nine college rounds, the Irvine, Calif., native has shot par or better eight times, is a collective 23 under par and has an impressive stroke average of 69.11. She defeated then reigning U.S. Women's Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffles on the 36th hole to crown herself the champ last year, and officially became the No. When I didnt play golf I heard a lot more voices than when I was practicing, she said. Within a little over half year, he was able to get Angie's confidence back and she started shooting within 70s which was previously very rare for her. At the 2019 U.S. Womens Open, Pinnell saw Lydia Ko in the clubhouse and reintroduced himself to the 15-time LPGA winner. Personal life [ edit] Zhang was born in Arcadia, California and resides in Irvine, California. I learned so much in so short a time while spending time with you at The Open. Zhang headed to the range afterwards, took slow practice swings to sync up her tempo and reviewed her fundamentals. Since receiving those text messages full of advanced golf questions, Pinnell has had an idea of Zhangs potential. Tempo is biggest thing for her. we learned a lot from him. Girls' Junior on Saturday at Columbia Country Club in historic fashion. Im pretty in tune in knowing what my body is doing, she said. Sometimes I tend to quick it up and I definitely feel it. The 16-year-old phenom is a junior at Pacific Academy in Irvine, where she holds a 4.6 GPA, which is all the more amazing since she missed 50 days of school last year for tournaments. The Irvine, California native has just won the Stanford Intercollegiate by four shots after rounds of 65, 65 and 67 for a 16-under 197 to tie teammate Rachel Heck for Stanford's 54-hole scoring record. She was just warming up. She started playing golf after her father Henry got golf clubs from a friend. Statistics. And I think she has that in the back of her mind, but again, would never say it. The fact that you will drive all the way to The Olympic Club, in San Francisco and back, proves that you are a real champion deserving of all the accolades, titles and trophies that your players win. She celebrated her victory by flying to Evian, France, where she competed in another LPGA major, the Amundi Evian Championship, and made the cut. The information and support he gives to his players is really valuable. 1-ranked amateur in the world to turn professional. Over the past year Zhang, who won the 2020 U.S. Womens Amateur, has learned how quickly life can change after suffering a wrist injury that plagued her throughout the second half of 2020 and left her sidelined for six weeks over the winter. I am definitely extremely grateful and blessed to have him as a coach, mentor, and friend. I could go on, but you get the drift. Thanks to George, I am always able to find my confidence again and focus on my game. Before our friend referred us to Coach George, Angie was at a standstill and shot in the upper 80s and even 90s with consistent back pain after her freshman Fall season in December 2019. Zhang wins collegiate debut at the Molly Invitational. Golfweekrecently caught up with Heather Daly-Donofrio, a former LPGA player and tour executive who leads the program. Girls' Junior Am. USGA A week before the U.S. Women's Amateur, Rose Zhang wasn't even sure she would be able to tee it up in the event. We see the success of Rose Zhang: her wins, her clutch putts and her consistency. Subscribe now. We, and all of those who you touch, owe you a deep, thank you, from the heart. 16 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. I was always very into my golf game and didnt really have time to talk to other people. Shell be three back of the leader and the next thing you know, she finds a way to get something done.. Zhang began playing golf at age 9 and now, at 18, is the best amateur player in the world. Zhang has a verbal commitment to golf for Stanford University after high school. With the technology and his ability to analyze my swing effectively, my game has really improved greatly in each stage of junior and amateur golf. Learn how to socialize with other people.. Tiger Woods played two years at Stanford. Pinnell didnt hear that story until a week later, and in that moment he finally understood why she rarely contacts him during a tournament with questions. Those who know 17-year-old Zhang best say shes kind, humble and funny. Shot 64 to finish 2nd stage Japan Q-school to finish 3rd!!! Its quite difficult, she said, because a lot of courses have closed down their short-game areas and their putting greens, and there are a lot of people who want to play golf so there are a lot of busy tee times. Sometimes I tend to quick it up and I definitely feel it. Within 10 minutes, I had it, Zhang told her coach after the tournament. Its a passion.. Take Rose Zhang, for example. As the warmup begins on the range, it remains quiet. Well, I think for me, I have a lot of maturing to do, Zhang said in April after finishing third at the Augusta National Womens Amateur. Zhang started playing when she was 9 after she picked up one of her dads golf clubs and took a swing. Steve does concert reviews for the Register, too, when time permits. He has helped her get to a place where she can focus on what she needs to do. But were these questions really from a middle schooler, when they read more like something a 20-year-old would ask? Zhang arrived at Stanford with a string of amateur accomplishments to her name to match what Woods achieved in the unpaid game. Watching her overall, the main word I take away is shes a joy to be around and a very patient player.. She won the U.S. Women's Amateur title in. She practices every day after school. This is where I think some of the best teaching happens. 1-ranked amateur womens golfer on Earth. Zhang decided to compete at the Thunderbird International Junior tournament in Arizona the week before the U.S. Womens Open. She and her coach detail the keys to success. BY EMILIA MIGLIACCIO AUGUST 1, 2021 She was named by American Junior Golf Association as the 2019 Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year. Unlike sports such as soccer and basketball, golf has a steep start-up cost before you even arrive at the range with equipment. Top finishers will win automatic exemptions into the prestigious Golfweek International Junior Invitational Nov 4-5 in Florida. She showed up to the course in jeans and a T-shirt and looked around at the other players wearing more traditional attire. Zhang is the only high school student, by the way, among the top 20 female amateur golfers in the world. He also teaches parents some advanced ideas about golf and how to become a good parent of a good golfer. She played with Bronte Law, Atthaya Thitikul and Angel Yin. She put her club in her bag and said, OK, Dad, lets go to dinner and get ready for tomorrow, Pinnell recalled. I am truly grateful for everything George has taught me in both golf and life. Created in 2014, the ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel is annually given to the top female U.S. collegiate golfer; the winner voted on by players, coaches and members of the college golf media. Before our friend referred us to Coach George, Angie was at a standstill and shot in the upper 80s and even 90s with consistent back pain after her freshman Fall season in December 2019. View Full List It was I cant, honestly, she said laughing. She made just two bogeys over 54 holes en route to shooting a school-record-tying 16-under 197 at the Stanford Golf Club. After the round she went out to the range and started taking slow methodical swings with a 9-iron, going through the fundamentals that shes worked on with Pinnell all these years. She then clinched Stanford's second NCAA team title by winning the final match, 3 and 1. She then clinched Stanfords second NCAA team title by winning the final match, 3 and 1. The LPGA can be a lonely life, said Ye. Zhang shot a 3-over-75 to cap the national title at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. I dont really want to take any bad memories away from here.. This mainly affected players from the former Soviet Union, such as Viktor Onopko, and the former Yugoslavia, such as Davor uker. George has given me a tremendous amount of help with all parts of the game including the swing, short game and putting as well as the mental part of my game. This is Augusta National. She celebrated her victory by flying to Evian, France, where she competed in another LPGA major, the Amundi Evian Championship, and made the cut. Women used to not be allowed to even practice there.. During my first few classes, George already corrected nearly unnoticeable but very crucial mistakes in just my set up that I had never even realized. Much was expected from Zhang upon her arrival in Palo Alto. I spent time last year with Dave when he, myself and Martin Vousden visited the late Bill Robertsons widow Caroline. He has a very personal style where he has individual chats with her, where he listens to her as much as she listens to him. She acted so naturally, in fact, she ended up winning the one-day event, setting in motion the start of a promising career that soon crossed paths with Pinnell, who began coaching her about five years ago. She put her club in her bag and said, 'OK, Dad, lets go to dinner and get ready for tomorrow,' Pinnell recalled. Her patience is just unreal. Shell be competing for the U.S. in the Pan American Games in August, Pinnell said. Rose Zhang. But when I'm ready, I think I will know it when I'm ready.. George has given me a tremendous amount of help with all parts of the game including the swing, short game and putting as well as the mental part of my game. Coach George has been a critical factor for my daughter, Angie Zhang, in her golf pursuit. What characteristics about Zhang make her stand out from her competition? Steve was honored as Champion for Character by the CIF-Southern Section. So he asked her who was writing the messages during their next lesson. She was on the cusp of winning the 72nd US Girls' Junior Championship at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Md., but had lost the. This July, Zhang won the U.S. Girls Junior becoming the first player to win the U.S. Womens Am before the Junior. 1-ranked women's amateur in the world. In 2019, Zhang advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Girls' Junior and helped the USA win a mixed team gold medal in the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. 1st. Rose Zhang initially thought tennis would be her calling. That time was tough mentally and physically, said Zhang, who could not practice for several weeks. 2023 Golfweekrecently caught up with Heather Daly-Donofrio, a former LPGA player and tour executive who leads the program. He not only teaches Alice the skill of golf technology , but also he teaches her mental guidance and how to become a good player. She also got to play at the inaugural Augusta National Womens Amateur in Georgia last spring. Graduated from Pacific Academy in Irvine, Calif. Two-time McCormack Medal winner, given to the world's top amateur golfer, Joins Lydia Ko (2011-13), New Zealand, and Leona Maguire (2015-17), of the Republic of Ireland as multiple recipients of the McCormack Medal, Competed in fourLPGA major championships in 2021, making the cut in the Amundi Evian Championship, Represented Team USA at the 2021 Curtis Cup, Finished third at the 2021 Augusta National Women's Amateur, Earned runner-up finish in the LPGA Symetra Tour's Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic, Just the eighth player to win both the U.S. Rose Zhang (born May 24, 2003 [1]) is an American amateur golfer. (Photo courtesy of Stanford). While her coach said any number of things can sidetrack a burgeoning career be it injuries, other hobbies or a burnout he doesnt expect it to happen to Zhang. But what does it actually take to reach this level of achievement? He has high expectations for me and he sacrificed a lot of time and effort for me. If it wasnt for Henry, Rose wouldnt be the player she is today.. Theyve given me a flexible schedule to work with and when I come back from a tournament they help me catch up.. He was in the inaugural class inducted into the Santa Ana Unified School District Sports Hall of Fame. 2017 Junior PGA Championship, Junior Americas Cup, 2018 ANA Junior Inspiration, Swinging Skirts AJGA Invitational, The PING Invitational, 2019 Toyota Junior World Cup, Swinging Skirts AJGA Invitational, Rolex Tournament of Champions. 11. Rose Zhang has also been No. He has a very personal style where he has individual chats with her, where he listens to her as much as she listens to him. My dad is one of the biggest influences in my life and in my character, said Zhang. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images). She never gets away from that, said Pinnell. THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2023 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LPGA TourMi Hyun KimHyun Hee MoonShi Hyun AhnAra KohIrene ChoRussy GulyanamittaHana KimSarah LeeJi Young LeeNa On MinAngela ParkAnna RawsonSung Ah Yim, Mini TourRyan CarterAndrew PatipaksiriLalita Patipaksiri, Japanese PGA TourJay Choi WinnerDavid Oh, Cactus Tour / Symetra TourJoy TrotterLalita Patipaksiri, Top AmateursKristen Park- USGA ChampionHenna ChoPatty ChawalithmethaRoy KimTiffany Lua UCLA & 2 time Curtis Cup Player. Her golf schedule forces her to miss plenty of school time. Hes always been the one to push me further and that really helps me get into the grit mindset,which takes over into my golf game, said Rose. she improved much under his good teaching and is on the way to succeed as a junior golfer step by step. Zhang is No. 6 in Golfweeks girls junior rankings and No. She does some amazing things, said George Pinnell, who has been Zhangs coach going on seven years. There are too many stories of beacons of light that burned out as soon as money became all important. I think her mentality is, I can beat you. Now, she would never say that, and she would kill me for saying that, but yeah. 20022023 Irvine Company, LLC. The tournament is open to any players age 13-19 who meet the eligibility requirements and are not yet affiliated with a college golf team. Bront Wittpenn/The Chronicle Zhang has spent the past 104. She finished as the runner-up and arrived on a red-eye flight to South Carolina on Tuesday, two days before the major began. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open. 2 Oregon, 3&1, Also won the Spirit International individual and team titles with teammate Rachel Heck and Team USA, T12th at 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur, Finished T40th in U.S. Women's Open (June 2-5) at Pine Needles, Helped Team USA to 15.5-4.5 win in 2022 Curtis Cup at Merion, Played for Team USA at the Arnold Palmer Cup (July 1-3) in Geneva, Switzerland, Made cut at 2022 Evian Championship (July 21-24), Low amateur and Smyth Salver winner at AIG Women's Open (Aug. 4-7), Represented Team USA at World Amateur Team Championship (Aug. 24-27). That was a big deal, she says, laughing. Its just I think sometimes you cant really be too hard on yourself, she said, especially when you are on the greatest stage of amateur golf. Thanks for everything George. George and I have become good friends during our time spent together during the last few years. His way of teaching golf is very professional, and he is very experienced and nice with good personality. This will be Zhang's second U.S. Women's Open start. Rose Zhang (born May 24, 2003[1]) is an American amateur golfer. Pinnell was uncertain how Zhang would handle the Country Club of Charleston course on short rest. For now, I don't really have any intention of turning professional. I have been working with George since I was 14. Shes an extremely humble youngster. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open. He helps me stay driven.. Amateur Championships in August, battling a left wrist injury that had her considering withdrawing from the tournament at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md. In school, Zhang has the benefit of a deep roster to provide motive her to work each day. Copyright 1996 - But she doesnt like to hear that. Zhang headed to the range afterwards, took slow practice swings to sync up her tempo and reviewed her fundamentals. Its been 19 years since Lorena Ochoa had what many consider the most dominant single season in womens college golf history. True, so lets not hand the precocious teenager a trophy cabinet full of major silverware just yet. Coaches, ADs and staff who do not have current access may request their free account here. Among them a two-time Mark H McCormack Medal winner (2020 and 2021) as the leading player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2020 U.S. Womens Amateur champion; 2021 U.S. Girls Champion; two-time Rolex Junior Player of the Year; a member of the victorious 2021 U.S. Curtis Cup team; low amateur in the 2020 ANA Inspiration with an 11th place finish. She doesnt make many mistakes. She never actually hit a golf ball. Most important, he loves what he does and he is driven by that love. [1], Zhang attended Pacific Academy and enrolled at Stanford University in 2021.[3][4]. 1 in Golfstat and also boast the top-ranked amateur and college player in sophomore Rose Zhang.. Steve also writes a weekly column that covers pro and college sports, and other topics. MORE: Rose Zhang completes rare double with dominant victory at U.S. Girls' Junior Am Much was expected from Zhang upon her arrival in Palo Alto. Yes favorite part about college life is team camaraderie. She defeated then reigning U.S. Womens Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffles on the 36th hole to crown herself the champ last year,and officially became the No. Thank you for all to George Pinnell! Point average. 16 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. A lot of us want a little more than just golf, said Stanford sophomore Angelina Ye, who finished 15th and walked most of the back nine with Zhang. What characteristics about Zhang make her stand out from her competition? The highlight of her career so far: taking a celebratory leap into Poppies Pond at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage after winning the 2018 ANA Junior Inspiration. She won the NCAA Regional for an eighth victory, then finished T-2 at the NCAA Championship. 8 Georgia, 1up, Won her semifinal match vs. No.