Despite Being a Debutant, an ‘Excited’ Rose Zhang Is Not a Bit Worried About the Solheim Cup: “I Have Witnessed the First Tee”

The US Solheim Cup team has set foot in the Spanish soil already. They are assessing the battlefield and designing their plan of action. While they were busy with the prep works, brief pockets of time revealed themselves to journalists who had some questions.

Rose Zhang candidly answered them as she walked her way along the course. While a touch of nervous anticipation showed itself, as it naturally would, she appeared more than confident enough for the occasion. She spoke about what was cooking in her mind in expectation of the big event.

Despite her debut, Rose Zhang has experienced it before

Rose Zhang sounded quite cheerful as she spoke about how she was looking forward to the big game. She spoke about how she had glimpses of the actual event before and that she was expecting to be a part of this time. 

“I’m excited for the energy. I think I’ve been a part of two Junior Solheim Cups now, and I’ve witnessed the first tee shots of all the groups on the first day.” The Junior Solheim Cup events usually happen near the premier Solheim Cup, and that’s probably how Zhang stole glances.

She eagerly described how she felt about seeing herself there. “So being able to actually be in the circle and see the walk up, it would be really fun to see that.” Zhang’s excitement for the tournament was truly endearing.

The 20-year-old has taken part in both the 2017 and 2019 Junior Solheim Cups. The venues for the events were the same as the Solheim Cup events in the respective years. In 2019, it was the Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, and in 2017, it was the Des Moines Golf and Country Club, Iowa, USA. 

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Notably, in both these years, team USA had won the title. That should probably instill tons of confidence in the Stanford sophomore. 

The Junior Solheim Cup’s legacy 

In 2019, the USA team scored 13 against Europe’s 11 and won the Cup. In the previous Junior Solheim Cup in 2017, which marked Zhang’s debut in the event, team USA won with a massive lead against the European team. Team USA had scored 14.5 points, that year, against Europe’s 9.5.

Rose Zhang has precedents for Junior Solheim Cup prodigies, making it to the Solheim Cup. In fact, some of her current teammates were integral parts of the Junior Solheim Cup teams during their teen years as well.

Four of her current teammates were part of the 2015 Junior Solheim Cup. The names include Andrea Lee, Angel Yin, Megan Khang, and Nelly Korda. Like Zhang, Andrea Lee is also a two-time Junior Solheim Cup player, who also made it to the team in 2013.

Looking back even earlier, Lexi Thompson took part in the 2009 Junior Solheim Cup. And in all these years, team USA had come home with the cup.

Do you think the current US team is stronger than their nemesis? Will they bring back the Cup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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