Rose Zhang’s first major as a professional golfer at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship showcased her immense talent and hinted at a promising future. The buzz at Baltusrol was all about Zhang, after winning her first professional start just three weeks earlier, in her first Major, she didn’t make the start she wished for but she had a very promising final round, starting the round with back-to-back birdies and continued her impressive performance despite the weather delay during the round.
Starting the day seven strokes behind the leader, Zhang quickly closed the gap and found herself just one shot off the lead. Her exceptional ball-striking skills were on full display as she hit every fairway and every green on the front nine. The possibility of her winning the tournament and becoming the first player in LPGA history to win her first two starts as a professional became a topic of discussion during the final round, until no professional player won their first two starts.
When play resumed after the thunderstorm, Zhang maintained her momentum and birdied her 11th hole. However, as the round progressed, her dream of a remarkable victory started to fade. She encountered challenges, including finding herself in a difficult position on the 13th hole and missing birdie opportunities on the 15th and 16th holes.
Despite the setbacks, Zhang showed resilience and managed to finish the championship at five under par. Although China’s Ruoning “Ronnie” Yin claimed the title, Zhang’s performance was nothing short of impressive, earning her a top-10 finish in her first major as a professional. Reflecting on her performance, Zhang acknowledged room for improvement but expressed satisfaction with her overall performance.
Zhang’s ability to achieve a strong result without her best game indicates her potential for dominance in the future. While her growing fan base envisions her future success, Zhang remains focused on continuously improving her game and reaching her own standards. Her experience at Baltusrol and the upcoming U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach will contribute to her progress, with the latter being a familiar venue where she holds the women’s course record.
Zhang’s positive attitude and dedication to refining her skills were evident as she interacted with fans and signed autographs after the tournament. Although she didn’t achieve the historic outcome everyone hoped for, she exudes confidence that such achievements will come in due time.
Rose Zhang’s impressive performance at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship showcased her potential as a professional golfer. Despite falling short of victory, her remarkable display of talent and determination hints at a bright future in the sport.
