Meet Rose Zhang, the ‘Mozart of golf’ who’s a Rolex and Adidas ambassador: from record-breaking World Amateur to double NCAA Division I champion … but why is she being compared to Tiger Woods?
The 21-year-old rising star has already won 2 pro tournaments and banked US$2.5 million in career earnings, and has lucrative endorsement deals to boot – including a workout series on Apple Fitness+
The 21-year-old California native showed promise as a golfer from a young age and began training under her swing coach at when she was 11. Before entering Stanford University, she already excelled at the sport, ranking at the top of her amateur age group at high school.
Following an illustrious college career, she kicked off her professional career with an impressive start. She won her first professional tournament during the Mizuho Americas Open nine days after kicking off her professional career.
Here’s a look at how golf’s rising star is shattering records both on and off the course.
She’s being compared to Tiger Woods
Ahead of turning pro, Zhang showed promise as one to watch in the golfing world. A natural talent, she was called “the Mozart of golf, the Van Gogh of golf” by Stanford head coach Anne Walker.
A top golfer during her amateur career, Zhang set the record for consecutive weeks at the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings in April 2023, eventually spending 141 weeks at the No 1 spot.
Her college career was cut short, however, when at the end of 2023, Zhang left Stanford to begin her professional career.