Weeks After Earning Her First LPGA Paycheck, Rose Zhang, 20, Earns Respect and Invaluable Praises From Former World No. 1: “A Very Special Player”

The impressive field of 156 players will take on the greens at Baltusrol Lower Course. Everyone is excited to see the action the second women’s golf major has to offer. Amidst this, one of the most anticipated players is the rising star, Rose Zhang. Her fierce driving and smart putting are something that viewers are excited to witness again, especially considering how powerful she was on the field in the Mizuho Americas Open.

As a debutant professional, Zhang went on to clinch victory in a playoff, defeating Jennifer Kupcho. This massive win helped the young star earn her first official check of a whopping $412,500, as she claimed LPGA membership and her first Tour win. In view of this, many professionals applauded this young prodigy. One such name is the Former World No. 1, Lydia Ko.

Lydia Ko praises Rose Zhang in a powerful yet gentle style

As the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship prepares to commence on Thursday, the golf stars are attending one of the most common traditions of the majors. That is the pre-tournament press meet. Thus, Lydia Ko also sat down for some questions on Wednesday before the tournament officially began.

The Kiwi golfer, embracing the true spirit of sportsmanship, had some powerful yet gentle words to share. These statements were addressed to one of the questions with regard to the rising LPGA Tour prodigy, Rose Zhang. Ko shared how impressive it was to see the young golfer “go into a playoff and win“. It was even more commendable because of all the pressure that Zhang had to endure thanks to her amazing amateur career.

Further elaborating on her statement, Lydia Ko remarked how this 20-year-old has pretty much proved herself on a big stage like the Mizuho Americas Open. Praising the young Zhang, Ko added, “She’s a very special player, and I don’t think you need me to say she’s special. She’s already—her accolades and everything speak for itself.”

Based on the words Ko spoke, it sure seems that the American young talent has earned the respect of one of the greatest golf icons. It was even more evident when the 2016 Best Female Golfer ESPY Award holder sounded confident that Zhang was going to have “another good week“. Though she mentioned how she hasn’t played alongside the new professional, she believed her results spoke for themselves about the caliber Zhang holds.

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Given that it is going to be the Stanford graduate’s first major as a professional, the hype and buzz regarding the same have been at their peak.

The buzz and anticipation Zhang has brought to golf

Rose Zhang has created a powerful buzz in the golf world with her unparalleled achievements. Not only has she been able to deliver an exemplary amateur career, but her first win as a professional was also a record in itself. Thus, it was not surprising for one of the interviewers to ask Lydia Ko about the bustle Zhang has created, as it is her first major as a professional.

Ko answered from experience. She said that professionals usually don’t think along these lines. Everyone else likes to talk about firsts and lasts. The 26-year-old said, “She’s [Rose Zhang] played in much more than she’s qualified into and she’s playing the rest this year“.

These words may have had a deeper meaning behind them. Probably, despite how one plays the first tournament or what result one faces, in the end, it is the journey that matters. One must continue to strive forward. Taking things as firsts and lasts might create unnecessary pressure, which can ultimately lead to problems. Given the invaluable meaning behind Ko’s message, it is sure to have an impact on the young golfer.

Just hours ago, World No. 2, Nelly Korda, also acknowledged the buzz Zhang has been creating in golf dynamics. She believed it would be great for women’s golf overall.

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What do you think of the rising prodigy, Rose Zhang, and Ko’s praise for this golfer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!