20-Year-Old Phenom Rose Zhang Addresses ‘Insane’ Tiger Woods Comparisons Ahead of $1,750,000 LPGA Event

Rose Zhang may not have won the US Women’s Open, but she definitely was one of the most talked-about players during the tournament. In fact, her golfing heroics have been generating hype for months, thanks to a stellar professional debut preceded by a record-breaking amateur career.

The buzz surrounding Zhang is such that she has already drawn comparisons to Tiger Woods, whose long-standing Stanford record she had broken earlier this year. So, how does the 20-year-old feel about being part of the same discussions as the 15-time major winner? Let’s jump in to find out more!

Rose Zhang addresses Tiger Woods comparison ahead of 2023 Dana Open

After a top-10 finish at Pebble Beach, LPGA phenom Rose Zhang, has now descended upon Ohio’s Highland Meadows Golf Club for the 2023 Dana Open. The pre-tournament presser on Wednesday saw the young golfer throw light on various aspects of her professional career, including being hailed as the next Tiger Woods. “I will say that it is an honor, you know, just to have his name and my name be in the same conversation,” she confessed.

However, Zhang also pointed out the differences between her and the legend. “I will say that I’m just so different from him in terms of personality and kind of — like it’s also a different generation, so I don’t really think about me having to, I guess, achieve what he achieved,” she said. “Like it’s insane. There is only one Tiger Woods in this world and in this time frame.”

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The ex-Stanford star had burst into the professional scene by winning at the Mizuho Americas Open in June. In doing so, she became the first player in 72 years to win on her LPGA Tour debut. This week, the 2023 Dana Open will mark Zhang’s 4th tournament since she went pro in late May.

Rose Zhang’s incredible achievements so far

Even before she went pro, Rose Zhang was being referred to by many as the “Tiger Woods of women’s golf.” In the amateur circuit, Zhang had spent a record 141 weeks as the top-ranked amateur in the world. Her achievements included the 2020 US Women’s Amateur, the 2021 US Girl’s Junior, and this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur, among others. At Stanford, her 12 wins in 20 starts also saw her surpass Woods’ record of 11 in 26 starts from his time with the Cardinal.

Zhang finally made her professional debut this year at the Mizuho Americas Open, wherein she bested many of the biggest names in golf for the $412,500 prize money. Her victory even saw Woods heap praises on her via Twitter!

The LPGA star’s second professional appearance came at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, wherein she tied for the 8th spot. She then followed it up with a T9 finish at the recently-concluded US Women’s Open. In the coming days, Zhang will be vying for her second LPGA win at the 2023 Dana Open. This year, the tournament has a prize purse of $1,75,000 and boasts a stacked field with ten of the top 20 players in the world making an appearance.

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Do you think Rose Zhang will go on to have a career identical to that of Tiger Woods down the road? Let us know in the comments below.