One of the biggest milestones of Rose Zhang’s career so far that brought her worldwide attention came a few months ago when she broke the record of the legendary Tiger Woods. And what made the achievement of 12 victories in 20 starts more interesting was that Zhang made it at Stanford University which is also Woods’ alma mater. Soon after that Zhang was termed the spiritual prodigy of Woods.

Currently, Zhang, who enrolled at the prestigious Stanford University in 2021, is participating in professional golf. But as she chooses to take another path than that of Woods, Zhang revealed who serves as an idol for her to juggle both her interests ahead of the AIG Women’s Open.

Rose Zhang looks up to another Stanford University golfer for career advice

The legendary Tiger Woods enrolled at Stanford in 1995 and won 11 tournaments while studying there. But after completing two years, Woods chose to pursue his golf career full-time and left college to become a pro, something he regretted later. However, the young Zhang is choosing not to take a similar path.

This week Rose Zhang is once again ready to display her excellent golfing skills at the last major event of this year, the AIG Women’s Open. And before the big game, the young prodigy was asked about her educational pursuits. Zhang was asked at the press conference if she would do the same as Michelle Wie West did and take her degree just by going back from time to time.

To this Rose answered that not only is she planning to do the same but has also been advised by West on how to proceed. “Exactly. It’s essentially what Michelle did. Both of us kind of talked about it before and that’s how she gave me such great advice on what I want to do in my future.”

Zhang further praised West for her ability to finish her academics and play professional golf at the same time and said that she inspires her. It was something that Zhang was earlier unsure about but talking to West gave her clarity.

Also Read – Months After Shattering Fellow Stanford Alum Tiger Woods’ Record, LPGA Breakout Rose Zhang Gets Nostalgic About Her Roots

Just like Woods, Stanford is also the Alma mater of West where she enrolled in September 2007 as a freshman and also as a professional golfer. West used to attend classes running during the fall and winter quarters, from late September through mid-March. And for the rest of the year, she would take leave to play professional golf. And Zhang seems to have similar plans.

Michelle Wie West is serving as an educational role model for Zhang

Since Zhang and West share the same subject, it has become very easy for Zhang to follow the path once walked by West. She continued, “And we both major in communications, so basically when I was talking to my counselors, they pulled up her transcript for me to see what classes she took which is really fun to kind of see how someone else did this and was successful in doing so.” Wie graduated from Stanford in March 2012 with a major in communications. Later in the month of June, she participated in the university’s graduation ceremony.

Though Zhang is yet to graduate from the university, in the last two years as a freshman and a sophomore she has created an incredible academic profile for herself. And adding a graduate degree will be another shining star for the California-born golfer.

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