JERSEY CITY, NJ — A lot was expected of Rose Zhang when she turned pro last week, and she’s already giving birth.
The two-time NCAA champion moved into winning position in her professional debut, shooting a 6-under 66 on Saturday to take a two-block lead in the final round of the Mizuho US Open.
“I’ve been in this position before, but I haven’t been in this position as a professional, because this is my first week, so I’m learning everything I can,” Zhang said. “Tomorrow, I’m just going to try to figure out what it feels like to be in the last group, navigate my way through, and I’m sure by the end of the day I’ll be able to, you know, build up my character some more.”
The former Stanford star had a bogey-free six birdie run on a raw, cloudy day at Liberty National in jumping to the top of the leaderboard. It’s nothing new for the 20-year-old who won 12 of her 20 events in her two years at college, with many taking it as a sign of things to come.
Event 1 certainly shapes up that way as a day goes by, it could have been better. Zhang settled a putt on the driveable 16th hole after hitting her tee shot about 5 feet out.
Tied with Minjie Lee at the halfway mark at 7-under, Cheyenne Knight was tied for second with Attaya Thetikul of Thailand and Aditi Ashok of India, who both shot 68-under. Knight had a 69, made bogey at par 17 and lost a 10-foot putt to birdie on the final hole.
Lee (72) was under five in fifth place, a shot in front of rookie Hae-ran Ryu (66) and Eun Hee-ji (70).
Stephanie Kiriakoyo of Australia had the best round of the day, shooting a 65 that included an eagle, six birdies and an early bogey. The 22-year-old was at five alongside Jin Young-koo (73) and South Korean player Se-Young Kim (70).
They’ll all have to catch Chang, who’s been the number one women’s resort for 141 weeks. And she’s also on the mend, having won this year’s Augusta National Amateur and her second straight NCAA title last month.
This has been a hectic week for Zhang. Not only did she become professional, but she showed a lot of composure on and off the course with the sheer volume of interview requests.
“I still think I’m human, so I feel little butterflies here and there,” said the Irvine, Calif., resident. I’ve been playing it for the past 10 years or so.I just do what I need to do and go back to what defines the body.
Seven women have won their first starts as professionals on the LPGA Tour since 1992, the last being Japan’s Hinako Shibuno at the 2019 Women’s British Open.
Knight was also in her region looking for her second Tour win and first since 2019. She was in the top 10 after 36 holes in her last four events.
“I’m excited, but, I mean, yeah, I think Minjee shot an 8-under yesterday. Marina (Alex) did that too. She’s there,” Knight said. “I’m excited to attack, and yeah, just give myself a few chances tomorrow and hope they drop.”
Ashok had only one bogey in three rounds in her search for her first win on this tour.
“I think this golf course especially makes you think a lot,” said Ashok, who has been to the first of three finals in recent weeks. “If you get the right angles and if you play smart, I think it’s easier not to take shots.”
Ranked third was Lydia Koe, who was a shot behind the lead going into the round, and Brooke Henderson ranked eighth, who was two shots off pace and finished at number 1. Koe shot 77, Henderson 76.