Rose Zhang Sunday became the first person since 1951 to win her Lady Professional Golf Association professional debut, reports Golf Week.
Zhang took home the prize at the Mizuho Americas Open in Jersey City, New Jersey.
She won a two-hole playoff over Jennifer Kupcho.
“What is happening?” said Zhang after her victory. “I just can’t believe it.”
According to Yahoo Sports, the Stanford champion shot a two over par 74 Sunday, just enough to follow in the footsteps of Beverly Hanson, the last golfer to win her LPGA debut in 1951.
“It was just last week when I won NCAAs with my teammates, and to turn pro and come out here, it’s just been amazing. I’ve enjoyed the journey … I had so many cheers around me, all my friends and family. I’m just so grateful,” she said on the Golf Channel.
Last month Zhang was still a college player at Stanford. Last week, she didn’t know if she would qualify for the tournament, but eventually won a sponsor exemption. Sunday she cashed in on the $412,500 first-place prize, Golf Digest reported.
She entered Sunday with a one-shot lead on the strength of a six-under-par 66 in the third round Saturday. She bogeyed the par three fourth, but shot 12 straight pars after that to stay in contention.
“This golf course is rough,” Zhang said on the Golf Channel. “I really got a bit of everything, got a taste of the pressure, got a taste of the wind. I tried to stay composed as always. I knew that golf was just a grind and you really had to dig deep, so once again that’s what I did. I’m glad I’m here.”
She was born in Irvine, California to Haibin Zhang and Li Cai, reports Fresher Alive.
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