Much was expected of Rose Zhang when she turned pro last week and he or she is already living it.
The 2-time NCAA champion stepped up to win on her professional debut, shooting 6-under-66 on Saturday to take a two-point lead in the final round of the Mizuho Americans Open at the Liberty National in Jersey City, NJ
“I’ve worked in this position before, but I have never been in this position as a professional since that is my first week, so I’m really learning every little thing I could,” Zhang said. “Tomorrow I’ll just try to determine what it’s like to be in the final group, get through it, and I’m sure by the end of the day I’ll have the ability to, , just construct my character more.”
The previous Stanford star had six birdies in a no-bogey round on a stark, overcast day, jumping to the top of the leaderboard.
That is nothing recent for the 20-year-old who won 12 out of 20 competitions in her two years of school, and lots of see it as a sign of the future to come.
Event 1 is actually shaping up this fashion, and it might have been higher. Zhang opted for a tap-in birdie on the sixteenth hole after she hit a tee shot from about 5 feet away.
![Golf star Rose Zhang, making her LPGA pro debut, has a two-shot lead ahead of the final round.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Rose-Zhang-2.jpg?w=1024)
Cheyenne Knight, who was tied with Minjee Lee at halfway ahead at 7-under, was tied for second with Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand and Aditi Ashok of India who each scored 68s. Knight had 69, bogeying in seventeenth and missing a 10-footer for a birdie on the final hole.
Lee (72) was 7 below for fifth ahead of Jennifer Kupcho (69), rookie Hae Ran Ryu (66) and Eun-Hee Ji (70).
Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacoiu had the best round of the day, shooting 65 including eagles, six birdies and an early bogey. The 22-year-old was 5 years under alongside top Jin Young Ko (73) and fellow South Korean player Sei Young Kim (70).
Everyone could have to catch Zhang, who was the women’s #1 amateur for 141 weeks. She can also be on a roll, winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur this 12 months and her second consecutive NCAA title last month.
![Rose Zhang laughs with her sidekick during the third round.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Rose-Zhang.jpg?w=1024)
It has been a busy week for Zhang. Not only has she turned pro, but she’s also shown her composure on and off the road with a huge variety of interview requests.
“I still think I’m human, so I feel little, little butterflies here and there,” said the Irvine, California resident, “I felt quite comfortable once I was on the golf course. I managed to get into my zone and just tried to take into consideration what it’s like to be a sport I have been playing for about ten years. I just do what I actually have to do and return to what my body knows.
Seven women won their first start as a professional on the LPGA Tour since 1992, with Japan’s Hinako Shibuno coming last at the 2019 Women’s British Open.
Knight was also in her zone, searching for her second tour win and first since 2019. He’s in the top 10 after 36 holes in his last 4 tournaments.
“I’m excited but, I mean, yeah Minjee, I believe I shot an 8-under yesterday. Marina (Alex) too. It’s there,” Knight said. “I’m excited for the attack and yes, just give yourself probabilities tomorrow and hope they go down.”
Ashok only had one bogey in three rounds in search of her first win of the tour.
“I believe this golf course is very thought-provoking,” said Ashok, who has finished in the top three twice in recent weeks. “If you will have the right angles and play smart, I believe it’s easier not to drop shots.”
No. 3 ranked Lydia Ko, who was a shot ahead going into the round, and No. 8 ranked Brooke Henderson, who was two shots off the pace, finished 1-under. Ko shot 77 and Henderson 76.