Rose Zhang has won her professional debut on the LPGA Tour, winning the Mizuho Americas Open in a playoff over Jennifer Kupcho. Zhang fought to a 2-over 74, making one bogey and 17 pars on Sunday to capture her first LPGA Tour title and hold off charges from Eun-Hee Ji, Aditi Ashok, and Kupcho. Zhang opened with three pars in her first three holes to stay one ahead of Ashok, who moved to 10-under with a birdie on the par-3, 2nd hole. Kupcho grabbed a birdie on the par-5, 10th to again move into a tie for the lead at 10-under, but a bogey on the par-4, 12th hole erased that effort and Kupcho parred in for a final-round, 3-under 69 to post the clubhouse lead at 9-under.
For the first time since Beverly Hanson in 1951, Rose Zhang has emerged victorious in her professional debut on the LPGA Tour, winning the Mizuho Americas Open in a playoff over Jennifer Kupcho. The 20-year-old fought to a 2-over 74, making one bogey and 17 pars on Sunday to capture her first LPGA Tour title and hold off charges from Eun-Hee Ji, Aditi Ashok and Kupcho.
Starting the day with a two-shot lead at 11-under, Zhang opened with three pars in her first three holes to stay one ahead of Ashok, who moved to 10-under with a birdie on the par-3, 2nd hole. Ashok bogeyed No. 4 to once again sit two shots back of the lead, but Zhang also dropped a shot on the same hole, now one ahead with 14 holes to play. An Ashok birdie on the 6th hole moved her back to 10-under and into a share of the lead with Zhang; however, major champions Eun-Hee Ji and Kupcho were also making moves, with Ji carding three consecutive birdies on holes 4, 5 and 6 and Kupcho holing out on 7 to both get to 10-under and make it a four-way tie at the top. All three would ultimately fall away with Ji bogeying the 8th hole and Ashok and Kupcho bogeying the ninth to drop to 9-under, giving Zhang a one-shot lead with nine holes to play.
Kupcho grabbed a birdie on the par-5, 10th to again move into a tie for the lead at 10-under, but a bogey on the par-4, 12th hole erased that effort and Kupcho parred in for a final-round, 3-under 69 to post the clubhouse lead at 9-under. Ashok took herself out of the conversation with three bogeys on the back, clearing the way for Zhang to slam the door shut on her first victory as a professional, but she would have to work for it on the closing holes of Liberty National Golf Club. Her best opportunity to extend the lead came at the short, par-4 16th hole, where she pitched her second shot close and missed the birdie putt, remaining at 10-under with two to play.
Zhang parred 17 and her drive on 18 barely found the fairway bunker, making for a tricky second shot under immense pressure. She left her approach short of the green and her chip checked up a little too early, finishing 8 feet short of the hole, leaving Zhang a testy par putt for the win. Zhang’s par try slid off to the right and she tapped in for bogey, sending the 20-year-old into a playoff with three-time LPGA Tour winner Kupcho.
Hitting first, Kupcho’s drive found the fescue on the right of the 18th fairway and Zhang followed the lead, hitting her tee shot in the right fairway bunker. Kupcho’s second shot came up short of the green, while Zhang’s found the putting surface, leaving her with a 20-foot birdie putt for the win. Kupcho chipped up to 5 feet and made her par putt, putting the pressure on Zhang to make her birdie try. Zhang’s putt was on a perfect line and dropped into the center of the cup, giving her the victory and a memorable debut on the LPGA Tour.
Zhang, who turned pro in June after winning the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship last year, was the top-ranked amateur in the world before turning professional. Her victory at the Mizuho Americas Open marks a significant milestone in her young career and sets the stage for what could be a bright future on the LPGA Tour.
“I’m so excited and so happy,” Zhang said after her victory. “It’s been a dream of mine to play on the LPGA Tour and to win in my first start is just amazing. I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve received and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Zhang’s victory at the Mizuho Americas Open is a testament to her talent and potential as a professional golfer. With her poise under pressure and ability to rise to the occasion, Zhang has shown that she has what it takes to compete at the highest level of women’s golf.
As Zhang continues to develop her game and gain experience on the LPGA Tour, she will undoubtedly be a player to watch in the years to come. With her first victory under her belt, the sky is the limit for this talented young golfer.
