20YO American LPGA Phenom’s 60s Goes in Vain at Taiheiyo Club While Asian Golf Forces Looks Forward To Steal the Title

This week Rose Zhang is participating in the Toto Japan Classic which is being held at Taiheiyo Club Minori Course, Omitama, Japan. This is her first year and for a Rookie she has been doing quite well.

Like the good record that she has been maintaining this year, Zhang is trying her best to deliver a good performance and has remained under par with good scores in the first two rounds. But despite this, her efforts are going in vain as she is being outnumbered by her Asian counterparts.

Rose Zhang’s tough fight in Japan

The 46th edition of the Toto Japan Classic began on Thursday. The event is co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the LPGA of Japan Tour. A total of 78 players are on the field in which Zhang is among the 43 LPGA members and there are 35 JLPGA also. Zhang delivered a good performance which she also carried with her on Friday in the second round. 

Both days she maintained consistency in her scores and carded rounds of 68. Despite this, she enters will be entering the third round on Saturday on T22. She is left behind by names like Jasmine Suwannapura, Shiro Kuwaki, Napa Hataoka, and others who are claiming the top 10 spots.

She has also made some big changes recently. After the Solheim Cup, she parted ways with her old caddie Jason Gilroyed, and is working with Olly Brett as her new caddie. He will work with her for the remainder of the season. 

While playing at at the Maybank Championship last week she said “I think Olly makes a huge difference, especially with us just enjoying the golf course and having a good time.” We will find out this week if this move helps her in Japan or not.

Also Read – Amid Juggling ‘School Stuff’ and Her LPGA Career, 20-Year-Old Rose Zhang Makes an Optimistic Personal Confession

Zhang is performing alongside many other rookies in Japan

The Toto Japan Classic is a national event with a $2 million prize purse and the Japan golfers are trying their best to keep the trophy at home. Vying for the first spot are names like Akie Iwai, Mone Inami, Yuna Nishimura, and Masa Hataoka who are all above -10 par and despite her attempts, Zhang is unable to get past them.

In Japan joining Zhang on the rookie list are Celine Borge, Minami Katsu, Yan Liu, Yuna Nishimura, Bailey Tardy, Chanettee Wannasaen, and Arpichaya Yubol. However, there are two more days remaining. Hopefully Rose will be able to turn the tables by the finale.

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