America’s Rose Zhang has arrived—that is on the professional golf stage! The 20-year-old won the Mizuho Americas Open to become the first player since Beverly Hanson in 1951 to win at her professional debut on the LPGA Tour. Zhang turned professional after holding the record for being the number one ranked female amateur golfer in the world for the most weeks in history.
Zhang overcame compatriot Jennifer Kupcho at the second playoff hole. It was the fifth straight event extra holes were needed to decide an LPGA Tour event, which had never happened in the history of the tour. Both players made clutch par saving putts at the first playoff hole. Zhang made her save from 10 feet to put pressure on three-time LPGA Tour winner Kupcho. The 26-year-old responded by rolling in her par save from seven feet to continue the playoff. Zhang highlighted her enormous talent on the second extra hole striping her hybrid approach to the green within six feet of the hole. Kupcho found the front of the putting surface. However, she three-putted leaving hang two putts for the historic victory.
With the win, Zhang earns US$412,500, her LPGA card and is eligible to make the US Solheim Cup team to be staged in Spain in September this year.
Zhang (74) and Kupcho (69) finished at 9-under at Liberty National, New Jersey.
Korea’s Hae Ran Ryu claimed outright third place. The 22-year-old posted a final round 2-under to reach 8-under. Japan’s Ayaka Furue (69), Korea’s Eun-Hee Ji (71) and India’s Aditi Ashok (74) took a share of fourth place at 7-under.
Stephanie Kyriacou was the best placed Australian. The 22-year-old from Sydney signed for a final round even par 72 to remain at 5-under for a tie in 10th place. It was her best finish on the LPGA Tour this season.
The LPGA Tour remains in New Jersey for next week’s ShopRite LPGA Classic to be staged at Seaview, Bay Course. Canada’s Brooke Henderson is the defending champion.
Final Scores
Mizuho Americas Open
1. Rose Zhang -9
2. Jennifer Kupcho -9
3. Hae Ran Ryu -8
T4. Ayaka Furue -7
T4. Eun-Hee ji -7
T4. Aditi Ashok -7
Australians
T10. Stephanie Kyriacou -5
T13. Minjee Lee -4
T43. Grace Kim +3
MC. Karis Davidson
MC. Sarah Kemp -4
MC. Sarah Jane Smith
Photo credit: Elsa/ Getty Images
