Rose Zhang is now three for three in college starts, winning the Stanford Invitational this weekend with a school-record-tying 16-under total. Zhang was born in Arcadia, California and resides in Irvine, California. George has taught some of the best players in the world and helped them to where they are now in their careers. That was on full display when she came up one shot short of a playoff at Augusta National, watching a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th slide right of the hole. In 2022, Callaway Golf announced its first name, image, and likeness deal with Zhang, making her the companys first student athlete. She takes the game seriously, yet accepts the results as they come. We use TrackMan a lot., This impeccable self-awareness of the basics helps Zhang both technically and mentally on the course. Most important, he loves what he does and he is driven by that love. Copyright 1996 - Shot 64 to finish 2nd stage Japan Q-school to finish 3rd!!! For a player who easily grasps big-picture perspectives, the value of a back-up plan surely isnt lost on her. She competed in the 2019 U.S. Women's Open and was on the gold medal team at the 2019 Pan American Games. Its been 19 years since Lorena Ochoa had what many consider the most dominant single season in womens college golf history. Golfweekrecently caught up with Heather Daly-Donofrio, a former LPGA player and tour executive who leads the program. We see so many coaches with elite talent who dont totally know what to do with that talent, said Walker, and they get overwhelmed with it themselves., Rose Zhang hugs Ingrid Lindblad on the 18th green during the final round of the Augusta National Womens Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club on April 03, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. Zhang committed to Stanford in the spring of her sophomore year. Pinnell was uncertain how Zhang would handle the Country Club of Charleston course on short rest. Within 10 minutes, I had it, Zhang told her coach after the tournament. Zhang arrived at Stanford with a string of amateur accomplishments to her name to match what Woods achieved in the unpaid game. The last couple days weve seen really nice crowds coming out to watch them play. PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. - No. At the 2019 U.S. Womens Open, Pinnell saw Lydia Ko in the clubhouse and reintroduced himself to the 15-time LPGA winner. As a team, Stanford shot an even-par 284 on Monday, the best round of the day by two shots over San Jose State, who sits two strokes back of the Cardinal with 18 holes left to play on Tuesday. Its quite difficult, she said, because a lot of courses have closed down their short-game areas and their putting greens, and there are a lot of people who want to play golf so there are a lot of busy tee times. The Cardinal roster includes the reigning NCAA individual champion and player of the year, Rachel Heck, and first-team All-American Angelina Ye. Tiger Woods played two years at Stanford. Zhang has a snapshot of herself with Irvines best-known golfer: Tiger Woods. She acted so naturally, in fact, she ended up winning the one-day event, setting in motion the start of a promising career that soon crossed paths with Pinnell, who began coaching her about five years ago. But she has realized that she needs to limit her circle and try to shut out any external stuff that may be negative.. I am definitely extremely grateful and blessed to have him as a coach, mentor, and friend. Zhang carries a 4.6 grade-point average. Tempo is biggest thing for her. We, and all of those who you touch, owe you a deep, thank you, from the heart. the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur title in July, Heck won five straight tournaments to cap her freshman year in the spring. George has been a critical part of my development as a player both physically and mentally as he has provided me great advice not only in golf but in life as well. This July, Zhang won the U.S. Shes never said that to me.. She cites her putting game as one of her strengths. 1-ranked amateur in Septemberafter finishing T-11 at the ANA Inspiration. When I first came to him when I was 11, his way of teaching really intrigued me with all the technology he had including Trackman, his side/front swing cameras, and his large TVs. And as a parent I learn quite a bit from him as well. MORE: Rose Zhang completes rare double with dominant victory at U.S. ; Players who represented the country they moved to in . Shes too busy self-correcting. February 27, 2023 at 11:54 AM. As Georges student for the past 6 years, to say that he has helped my golf game is an understatement. Within a couple of months, she was competing in tournaments. That time was tough mentally and physically, said Zhang, who could not practice for several weeks. The writers gathered round laughed too. She celebrated her victory by flying to Evian, France, where she competed in another LPGA major, the Amundi Evian Championship, and made the cut. He has high expectations for me and he sacrificed a lot of time and effort for me. Take Rose Zhang, for example. Here's a look at this season's current boys basketball statewide leaders in points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, free throws and 3-pointers. In 2019, Zhang was one of the youngest competitors in the Augusta National Women's Amateur. Over the past three years, George has been my coach/swing coach. Stanford freshman Rose Zhang at Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex. Zhang began playing golf at age 9 and now, at 18, is the best amateur player in the world. BY EMILIA MIGLIACCIO AUGUST 1, 2021 In nine college rounds, the Irvine, Calif., native has shot par or better eight times, is a collective 23 under par and has an impressive stroke average of 69.11. Zhang processes things differently, he said. She was curious and dedicated, willing to put in the time needed to improve her game, asking the sort of questions that proved to the longtime coach his pupil was impressive beyond just driving distance and a knack for reading greens. Her father is her part-time caddie. On her 19th birthday she was presented with the Annika Award for best female college golfer of the year. She asked for it while rep- resenting America at the Junior Ryder Cup in Paris in 2018. We appreciate your high standards, your persistence, your encouragement, and your sense of humor. But her achievements havenot come without routine discipline and a dedicated work ethic, and Zhang has honed in on what her keys are to success. We paid a visit to Bills grave and then sat around swapping old stories. That event was definitely very hard, Zhang said. Last 104 weeks. . Coach George has been a critical factor for my daughter, Angie Zhang, in her golf pursuit. He believes so much in his players and loves what he is doing to help junior golfers grow. Unlike sports such as soccer and basketball, golf has a steep start-up cost before you even arrive at the range with equipment. Learn how to socialize with other people.. Zhang chalked it up to bad course management. Steve Fryer covers high school sports at the Orange County Register. George has taught some of the best players in the world and helped them to where they are now in their careers. Those who know 17-year-old Zhang best say shes kind, humble and funny. He has a very personal style where he has individual chats with her, where he listens to her as much as she listens to him. She has a lot of great opportunities and when she has those opportunities she has the mental fortitude to stay patient, stay calm, stay focussed. Not many reading this will know of the Dave Hamilton. 1 amateur? During the extended range session, Zhang is intensely focused on the second key to her success her fundamentals. The fact that you will drive all the way to The Olympic Club, in San Francisco and back, proves that you are a real champion deserving of all the accolades, titles and trophies that your players win. Shell be three back of the leader and the next thing you know, she finds a way to get something done.. I dont set specific goals, but try to keep myself in a strict practice, said Zhang. Created in 2014, the ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel is annually given to the top female U.S. collegiate golfer; the winner voted on by players, coaches and members of the college golf media. His way of teaching golf is very professional, and he is very experienced and nice with good personality. Several people say this reminds them of when Tiger was here back in the 90s., I do believe that the best sports psychologist in the world is a square clubface at impact. Rory McIlroy. I love Rose, said another future Cardinal teammate Rachel Heck, I think everybody does. He has helped her get to a place where she can focus on what she needs to do. Best Rank. Now Im going to Seattle University on a golf scholarship, I can certainly say that Ive grow a tremendous amount as an athlete in the golf game and as a wholesome individual because of his genuine care and teachings. She does some amazing things, said George Pinnell, who has been Zhangs coach going on seven years. Within 10 minutes, I had it, Zhang told her coach after the tournament. Zhang made the final round and finished 17th. She finished as the runner-up and arrived on a red-eye flight to South Carolina on Tuesday, two days before the major began. At the2019 Pan American Games, she was on the winning U.S.mixed-gender teamand placed eighth in theindividual competition. Now 16, shes soared up the amateur rankings, featured on the LPGA and verbally committed to Stanford in the class of 2021. The highlight of her career so far: taking a celebratory leap into Poppies Pond at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage after winning the 2018 ANA Junior Inspiration. 2 Oregon, 3&1, Also won the Spirit International individual and team titles with teammate Rachel Heck and Team USA, T12th at 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur, Finished T40th in U.S. Women's Open (June 2-5) at Pine Needles, Helped Team USA to 15.5-4.5 win in 2022 Curtis Cup at Merion, Played for Team USA at the Arnold Palmer Cup (July 1-3) in Geneva, Switzerland, Made cut at 2022 Evian Championship (July 21-24), Low amateur and Smyth Salver winner at AIG Women's Open (Aug. 4-7), Represented Team USA at World Amateur Team Championship (Aug. 24-27). Share via Email: Americas No.1 junior golfer, Share via Twitter: Americas No.1 junior golfer, Share via LinkedIn: Americas No.1 junior golfer, Share via Facebook: Americas No.1 junior golfer, IRVINES ARTISTIC SWIMMING TEAM MAKES A SPLASH. She celebrated her victory by flying to Evian, France, where she competed in another LPGA major, the Amundi Evian Championship, and made the cut. In recent years, players of Zhangs caliber have bypassed college golf or made their stays short. 1-ranked amateur in September after finishing T-11 at the ANA Inspiration. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. It's a rapid. [8][9] She has won the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the top-ranked amateur three times, at the end of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons.[10][11][12]. Girls' Junior Am. George quickly put her back on track for progress and health. He asked Ko if he could introduce Zhang to her and snap a few photos of the pair. I learned more about how complicated the world can be., Zhang also learned about external voices thosethatcan be detrimental, if you listen to the wrong ones. For all of us, its a good time for us to get away from home and develop, said Pinnell of college, and be on our own. Through her slowed-down swings, Zhang realized that she was taking the club back too inside which was causing her to miss shots. And not only does he teach my daughter golf skills, he also coaches her on mental guidance and how to be a better person.