No matter how many achievements an athlete receives, there’s always a special place in their heart when they look back at the beginnings of their career. Take the example of the amateur career, which is the building block for a professional golfer. These initial days are always cherished by the golfers irrespective of their stature in the game. Take the example of Belinda Ji, from Australia, who turned professional recently after 13 years as an amateur. She shared about her journey on Instagram, writing, “After 13 years as an amateur golfer, I am super excited to announce that I will be turning professional.” She joined the tour in January 2025. Well, she isn’t the only one cherishing the moments, as Rose Zhang has similar memories from her early career days as well.

The LPGA professional who joined the tour in 2023 has been playing on an amateur level for a long time. She was the youngest competitor in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur at the age of 16. Even though she finished tied 17th that year, her experience at the course is what she still cherishes and remembers the ‘absurd format’ that was followed.

Recently, she shared her experience when, during a T-Mobile press conference, she was asked when a commercial of AWNA was showcased with her face in it on the TV in the background. The moderator instantly noticed and asked about it. She expressed gratitude by saying, “It’s such good memories to be fair. I feel like ANWA — ANWA has actually been on my radar for the last four years of my golf career, or amateur golf career.” Her journey as a golfer began with the event in 2019. Even though she couldn’t clinch the title that year, she pursued her goal and did bag the victory in 2023, beating Jenny Bae in the playoffs. Her exceptional victory even caused worry for her fellow professionals.

But due to the playoffs, she has some memories that she doesn’t really like about the event. Sharing further on the event, she recalled the qualification pattern, which used to be the toughest. Zhang said, “But I remember always seeing a playoff just to get into the third round, which is like honestly an absurd format. I also recall memories of sleeping on two nights of leads, which is very different from any other event that I played in.” Unlike other events, which consider playoffs to decide the winner. AWNA has unique qualification criteria that introduce playoffs for just making the cut. If the golfers are tied for the qualification rank, then they will have to go through a playoff to secure their place for the final round. The constant worry for it refreshed the memory of the professional, calling it an ‘absurd format.’

Despite the memories, Zhang has kept the past learnings from the course fresh to improve her performance. She shared something similar at the press conference for her upcoming appearance.

Rose Zhang recalls her memories from T-Mobile 2024

The 21-year-old, who has two LPGA Tour victories already, clinched one last year at the Cognizant Founders Cup. However, there was another event in which she was close to the victory, it was the T-Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards. She was placed in T5 last year. But she learnt a lot last year, and Zhang shared her excitement to be back this year.

“I think last year’s stroke play was great for me personally, and match play, kind of that transition to a different format kind of got me a little bit shaken up.” Last year, the event followed a new format of stroke play, multiple cuts, and match play. She struggled after her great first round of 67, as in the last two rounds she scored 73-73. Despite that, she has taken the learning and has expressed her excitement for participation this year. Even for this year, the tournament will follow the pool-based start. The 64 golfers will be divided into 16 groups of four, and each group will play against each other.

Speaking further, she said, “So I think like with the congruence of the entire week being match play, at least it’ll get my mindset into like how to actually compete and play hole by hole with and against another competitor. So I am excited.” Now, with her finish in the top 10 this season at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and lessonsfrom last year, she is optimistic about her participation.

The T-Mobile event is from April 2-6, 2025, it will be interesting to see how Rose Zhang performs this year. What are your thoughts on it? Share with us in the comments.