Rose Zang is consistently achieving milestones, week by week. This summer she stood out as a rookie making her mark in the LPGA. Initially, Zhang won the coveted 2023 NCAA individual crown. Subsequently, she triumphed in her LPGA debut, seizing the Mizuho Americas Open title. This was swiftly followed by her securing three spots in the top 10 across her first three majors.
She is currently playing at the CPKC Women’s Open held at Shaughnessy Golf Club & Country Club, Vancouver with a prize purse of $ 2.5 million. She gave a highlight about for first day and an insight into her strategies and expectations for the coming days at the presser.
Zhang’s Insightful Reflections on Day 1
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Discussing her performance on the first day of the tournament at the presser after the CPKC Women’s Open day one she mentioned, “I’m feeling really good. From the start, I had some errant tee shots, and it’s something that you can’t really afford on this golf course since it’s so narrow,” she remarked, acknowledging the course’s demands. She wasn’t shy about admitting the luck that was on her side, noting, “I was able to have some lucky bounces, lucky outs, and I capitalized on that. So really glad how the day went. Just keep it going the next couple of days.”
When questioned about when she felt everything aligning on the course, She mentioned, “It started clicking in the back nine.” Managing to steer some drives onto the fairway and hitting approach shots close enough for a birdie were critical moments for her. Moreover, she capitalized on these opportunities with precision, even when handling lag putts, ensuring a smooth game flow.
Reflecting on the day’s highlights, Zhang admitted not having a clear memory of her entire scorecard, often not dwelling too much on it. However, one moment stood out. She mentioned that “ the back nine that I started from –– was definitely a momentum changer because I was coming off a bogey.” The birdie, which she achieved from a rough patch on what she believes was the 16th, propelled her momentum forward, making it an unforgettable part of her round.
Coming from the West Coast, people wondered how Zhang adapted to the Canadian landscape, particularly playing at sea level. Elaborating on this, she confirmed, “The ball doesn’t go as far.” This necessitated recalibrations in her game, something she and her caddie Gilly worked on. Taking into account the reduced ball flight and the influence of wind on the landing, Zhang and Gilly had to rethink their yardages, ensuring they made the best decisions for each shot.
Navigating Challenges with Confidence
True to form, Zhang exhibited her flair during Thursday’s opening game. Even though she started slowly, the rising star recovered well, scoring a 33 in the next nine holes under tough conditions. She concluded the day with a score of 69, just behind the leader, Yuka Saso.
She remains confident about facing any challenge that might come her way on Friday.“I’m going to be aware of that and just keep doing what I’m doing and prepare for that”aiming to stay consistent and well-prepared.
Rose Zhang is getting the hang of the Shaughnessy course, but she’s staying alert. She knows that conditions change quickly in golf, especially with the wind she mentioned, “Every day the conditions are going to be changing. I know the wind picks up in the afternoon.” Her confidence and meticulous planning for the game shows why she is making waves in the LPGA.
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