Rose Zhang holes out for birdie during first round of pro debut!

Rose Zhang made her highly-anticipated LPGA Tour debut Thursday, and she certainly met the high expectations that were set.

Zhang, 20, had an illustrious amateur career, capping it off with a second-straight NCAA individual title just over a week ago.  

She became the first woman to win back-to-back national titles, and broke the previous record for most collegiate wins in Stanford University golf history. 

It marked her 12th NCAA win in just 20 starts. The previous record of 11 was held by three former Stanford players, including 82-time PGA Tour winner Tiger Woods. 

The greatest collegiate golfer ever.



12 wins in 20 tries. 8 wins this season. Back-to-back National Champion! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/RYTpOFYKK3

— Stanford Women's Golf (@StanfordWGolf) May 23, 2023

Earlier in the year, Zhang won the Augusta National Women's Amateur, and broke the record for most consecutive weeks ranked as the No. 1 amateur in the world. 

Shortly after winning the NCAA individual title, Zhang announced she would be making her professional debut at this week's inaugural Mizuho Americas Open.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Rose Zhang (@rosezhang)

The brand-new tournament is being played at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, and is being hosted by five-time LPGA Tour winner Michelle Wie West. 

Zhang was in the early wave of tee times for Thursday's first round, playing alongside Chella Choi and Alison Lee. 

The California product was off to a quick start Thursday morning, making three birdies in her first six holes as a professional. 

She made one bogey at the par-4 9th to card a 2-under 34 at the turn. 

A few holes later, Zhang continued to impress, draining her chip from off the green for a highlight-reel birdie. 

OKAY ROSE!



Can't get any better than this! pic.twitter.com/dn7wRPMbMn

— LPGA (@LPGA) June 1, 2023

She made two bogeys and two birdies in total on her back nine to record a 2-under 70 in her first round as a professional.

How about a birdie to end her first professional round?



Not too shabby of a day for Rose Zhang at @MizuhoLPGA pic.twitter.com/dqWOeoOdMz

— LPGA (@LPGA) June 1, 2023

She was five strokes back of early leader, Lauren Hartlage, who was at 7-under par. 

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Lead Image: LPGA Tour/Twitter