‘It’s Pretty Crazy’: Rose Zhang’s Sudden Pivot Into a Professional Career Becomes a Massive Wake-Up Call For the LPGA Phenom

Just a handful of days ago, Rose Zhang scripted the third consecutive top-10 finish of her professional career at the 78th US Women’s Open. This week, golf fans will be able to witness her in action once again at the 2023 Dana Open, also known as the Greater Toledo LPGA Classic.

On Wednesday, Zhang opened up about why the tournament in Sylvania, Ohio, holds a special place in her heart. She even divulged the highlights of her career so far as an LPGA pro. Let’s jump in to find out more!

Rose Zhang expresses her excitement to play in the Dana Open as a pro

Before turning professional, Rose Zhang boasted an amateur career that most players can only dream of. She was the top-ranked amateur in the world for a whopping 141 weeks, claiming victories in highly coveted tournaments such as the 2020 US Women’s Amateur, the 2021 US Girls’ Junior, and the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, among others. Earlier this year, by claiming the second NCAA title for her 12th win in 20 starts at Stanford University, she even surpassed Tiger Woods‘ record of 11 victories in 26 starts during his time with the Cardinal!

In fact, thanks to her NCAA Championship win, Zhang, an amateur, received an exemption into the Dana Open. She is now playing in the tournament as a pro, a shift that the 20-year-old is still processing. “It’s pretty crazy. I mean, yeah, I was originally going to come into this event as an amateur,” Zhang expressed during the pre-tournament presser. “Now that I’m playing as a professional and I’ll be in the field trying to go after the title, it’s something that I haven’t really thought about.”

However, the young phenom couldn’t be more ecstatic about playing on the LPGA Tour. “To be able to play this kind of events, you know, on the LPGA schedule, it’s something that you kind of dream about, because on a week-to-week basis you want to be able to play with all the amazing players and make this your real lifestyle,” she confessed.

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The 2023 Dana Open marks Zhang’s fourth tournament as a professional. The event features a $1,750,000 prize purse, with many of the biggest names in the LPGA in the field this year.

Key details to know about the 2023 Dana Open

First contested in 1984, the 38th edition of the Dana Open will be held from July 13 to 16 at Ohio’s Highland Meadows Golf Club. US Women’s Open winner and World No. 6 Allisen Corpuz is among the players who will be competing for the top honor. Besides Corpuz, four other players in the top 10 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings are also part of the star-studded lineup. No. 1 Jin Young Ko, No. 2 Lydia Ko, No. 7 Minjee Lee, and No. 10 Xiyu Lin will also be hoping to register a win this week.

At the 2022 Dana Open, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez outlasted American Megan Khang to lift the trophy. Over the coming days, she will be vying to defend the title successfully for her fourth LPGA win. Rose Zhang, Brooke Henderson, and Ingee Chun are among the other big names in the stacked field.

Last year, the tournament had a $1.75 million purse, and it remains unchanged this year as well. Back then, Lopez had taken home an incredible $262,500 in winnings!

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Do you think Zhang will win her second LPGA title at the 2023 Dana Open? Which golfer are you rooting for to emerge victorious this week? Tell us in the comments!