I duck-hooked a drive, Zhang began as she went blow-by-blow through the triple-bogey eight that derailed her run at the Augusta National Womens Amateur title. Nov 02, 2021. The multi-year deal was announced on the morning of Zhang entering the U.S. Women's Open.[13]. He helps me stay driven.. 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. He believes so much in his players and loves what he is doing to help junior golfers grow. The last couple days weve seen really nice crowds coming out to watch them play. That time was tough mentally and physically, said Zhang, who could not practice for several weeks. Learn how to socialize with other people.. We see the success of Rose Zhang: her wins, her clutch putts and her consistency. Shot 64 to finish 2nd stage Japan Q-school to finish 3rd!!! She was different.. But composure has hardly been a struggle for Zhang. Within 10 minutes, I had it, Zhang told her coach after the tournament. And I think she has that in the back of her mind, but again, would never say it. [7], Following the win, Zhang rose to number 1 in theWorld Amateur Golf Rankingin September 2020 after finishing T-11 at the2020 ANA Inspiration, an LPGA major. Furthermore, George has shown genuine care for my mental and wellbeing outside of lessons when Im traveling for a golf tournament. Rose Zhang won the U.S. 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. Zhang chalked it up to bad course management. Thanks to George, I am always able to find my confidence again and focus on my game. [7], Following the win, Zhang rose to number 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking in September 2020 after finishing T-11 at the 2020 ANA Inspiration, an LPGA major. 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. No way.. 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. Zhang arrived at Stanford with a string of amateur accomplishments to her name to match what Woods achieved in the unpaid game. 1st. And as a parent I learn quite a bit from him as well. She is the second consecutive individual title winner for the Cardinal. Furthermore, George has shown genuine care for my mental and wellbeing outside of lessons when Im traveling for a golf tournament. Prospective Student-Athlete Questionnaire, Scoring average: 69.68 (NCAA single season record), Wins: 4 (2021 Molly Intercollegiate, 2021 Windy City Collegiate, 2021 Stanford Intercollegiate, 2022 NCAA Championships), Low round: -8 (2022 Juli Inkster Invitational 3rd Round, 64), Low tournament: -16 (2021 Stanford Intercollegiate), 1st at the Molly Intercollegiate (73-72-68=213, -3), 1st at the Windy City Collegiate (72-70-70=212, -4), 1st at the Stanford Intercollegiate (65-65-67=197, -16), Tied for 4th at the Lamkin Invitational (69-73-75=217, +1), 2nd at the Gunrock Invitational (66-68-68-202, -14), 2nd at the Juli Inkster Invitational (72-69-64-205, -11), Tied for 10th at the Ping/ASU Invitational (70-69-64=213, -3), 2nd at the Pac-12 Championships (69-70-66=205, -8), 2nd at the NCAA Stanford Regional (69-70-66=205, -8), 1st at the NCAA Championships (68-70-69-75=282, -6), Lost her quarterfinal match vs. No. Being able to tune out the voices I dont want to listen to and finding my inner-circle was very important., Rose is very open to people and very accepting of people, said Pinnell, and she loves to help as many people as she can. And as a parent I learn quite a bit from him as well. Her game is clearly ready for that next step. If youve ever played at Oak Creek Golf Club, you may have seen her out on the course. Best Rank. Many expect the No. she improved much under his good teaching and is on the way to succeed as a junior golfer step by step. Zhang arrived at Stanford with a string of amateur accomplishments to her name to match what Woods achieved in the unpaid game. She also credits her father for developing her into a tough competitor. It's been a great month of golf for me so far thanks to George Pinnell! Tiger Woods played two years at Stanford. In this time of Thanksgiving, we want to express our appreciation for you. Those who know 17-year-old Zhang best say shes kind, humble and funny. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2019/07/09/rose-zhang-golf-amateur-us-womens-open-lpga/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, No. Zhang finished 1-over 289, making the cut in her first LPGA start. Instant access to the latest news, videos and photos from around the world of golf. While Zhang had fun meeting the 22-year-old star, she didnt seem overwhelmed by the experience like other amateurs who Pinnell has introduced to pros in the past. 5 Auburn, 5&4, Won her championship match vs. No. George and I have become good friends during our time spent together during the last few years. She had picked up her fathers club a few months earlier and happened to make contact with a ball. True, so lets not hand the precocious teenager a trophy cabinet full of major silverware just yet. [1], Zhang attended Pacific Academy and enrolled at Stanford University in 2021.[3][4]. Rose just kind of takes it in stride, Pinnell said. 1-ranked amateur in September after finishing T-11 at the ANA Inspiration. Coaches, ADs and staff who do not have current access may request their free account here. In May 2022, Zhang won the individual NCAA Championship by 3 shots. 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. Understanding what tempo I have really helps me calm down on the golf course. As a team, Stanford shot an even-par 284 on Monday, the best round of the day by two shots over San Jose State, who sits two strokes back of the Cardinal with 18 holes left to play on Tuesday. I am definitely extremely grateful and blessed to have him as a coach, mentor, and friend. Rose Zhang of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with teammates after winning the individual national title during the 2023 Division I Women's Golf Championship held at the Grayhawk Golf Club. Which is what makes Roses reaction to a tough loss all the more impressive. This is Augusta National. Bront Wittpenn/The Chronicle Zhang has spent the past 104. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. He was in the inaugural class inducted into the Santa Ana Unified School District Sports Hall of Fame. Zhang was born in Arcadia, California and resides in Irvine, California. She was named byAmerican Junior Golf Associationas the 2019 Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year. #JustSaying: I do believe that the best sports psychologist in the world is a square clubface at impact. Rory McIlroy, Photograph courtesy of the Ladies European Tour, Shes everything I thought she would be. Zhang is No. 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. 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. He is very experienced and is truly an amazing person. By signing up, you agree to the She does some amazing things, said George Pinnell, who has been Zhangs coach going on seven years. What is it about Zhang that makes her so good? Your hard work ethics are a good path for me to follow. 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. Shes arguably the best American junior golfer to come along in a decade and many wonder how time at Stanford starting later this fall could possibly help her advance. Yes favorite part about college life is team camaraderie. I learned more about how complicated the world can be., Zhang also learned about external voices thosethatcan be detrimental, if you listen to the wrong ones. George quickly put her back on track for progress and health. My first lesson with George was 3 years ago. An Irvine teen has risen to No. As George Pinnell received more and more text messages from Rose Zhang, full of advanced questions about golf, he grew more and more confused. Zhang decided to compete at the Thunderbird International Junior tournament in Arizona the week before the U.S. Womens Open. Now Im going to Seattle University on a golf scholarship, I can certainly say that Ive grow a tremendous amount as an athlete in the golf game and as a wholesome individual because of his genuine care and teachings. For now, I don't really have any intention of turning professional. 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. 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. He operated in another age when local newspapers actually covered golf extensively, amateur and professional, back when people read local newspapers. However, Zhang looks like she could step onto the LPGA Tour right now and make an impact. Ive struggled so much through my high school career, but George was always there to guide me in the right direction. The West Coast Junior Open will feature daily coverage on and will be ranked by both the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings and The Junior Golf Scoreboard. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Watching her overall, the main word I take away is shes a joy to be around and a very patient player.. That was a big deal, she says, laughing. I think shes going to blow any hard worker Ive ever had on my team away, said Cardinal coach Anne Walker. Watching her overall, the big word that I take away is the sheer joy of watching a very patient player. He will be back in a guest role capacity, as will April Rose Pengilly (plays Chloe Brennan), and Melissa Bell (plays Lucy Robinson). 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. 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. Zhang committed to Stanford in the spring of her sophomore year. Steve also is in the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and was the first journalist to receive the Contribution to Education award from the Orange County Department of Education. Top finishers will win automatic exemptions into the prestigious Golfweek International Junior Invitational Nov 4-5 in Florida. We appreciate your high standards, your persistence, your encouragement, and your sense of humor. For us, Coach George Pinnell has been the best coach ever to help my daughter Alesia Barry succeed as a junior golfer. 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. 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. Thats been the fun part. Unlike sports such as soccer and basketball, golf has a steep start-up cost before you even arrive at the range with equipment. His ability to recognize anything from small details to major mistakes has greatly improved the consistency of my swing. Top 10 Finishes. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open. Pinnell, 75, credits Zhangs father Henry for her strong mental approach, saying that she thrives on the challenges he presents. For all of us, its a good time for us to get away from home and develop, said Pinnell of college, and be on our own. 8 Georgia, 1up, Won her semifinal match vs. No. Zhang headed to the range afterwards, took slow practice swings to sync up her tempo and reviewed her fundamentals. He covered Essex and the South East of England and he knew his beat, knew the officials and the players in his region and chronicled their stories, their progress, exposing them to a wide audience. When I first came to him when I was 11, his way of teaching really intrigued me with all the technology he had including Trackman, his side/front swing cameras, and his large TVs. 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. She competed in the 2019 U.S. Women's Open at 16 years of age. But she has realized that she needs to limit her circle and try to shut out any external stuff that may be negative.. She takes the game seriously, yet accepts the results as they come. That time was tough mentally and physically, said Zhang, who could not practice for several weeks. He is always there to check in with how I am feeling before and after the rounds. 1-ranked amateur in the world to turn professional. I really love the game of golf, she says. 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. 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. She was curious and dedicated, willing to put in the time needed to improve her game, asking the sort of questions that proved to the longtime coach his pupil was impressive beyond just driving distance and a knack for reading greens. After pleasantries are exchanged at the elevator, Rose goes into game-face mode. Not surprisingly, the Cardinal are the No. 6 in Golfweek's girls junior rankings and No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking since September 2020. Its like having another me there to share the experiences.. 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. There are too many stories of beacons of light that burned out as soon as money became all important. He writes a weekly column on the county high school sports scene and also covers games and writes features. she improved much under his good teaching and is on the way to succeed as a junior golfer step by step. Zhang has also signed with Amundi, Beats, Uswing and Paradox. 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. He has high expectations for me and he sacrificed a lot of time and effort for me. And not only does he teach my daughter golf skills, he also coaches her on mental guidance and how to be a better person. We got so much TV coverage. Shes too busy self-correcting. When shes not golfing, she can be found doing homework, surfing the web, watching Chinese variety shows and hanging out with friends. Players field: 43 of top 50 in OWGR, no Tiger, CL: Few devils in details of Tour's event restructure, Rahm falters with 76 in wind: 'It's f**king hard', Pod: Blessings, Colonial, & remembering Sykes, Day after Pebble record, Zhang wins fall opener, Zhang low am; likely headed back to Stanford.