As the LPGA prepares to crown a new major champion, the world’s best female players gathered at Lancaster Country Club for the U.S. Women’s Open.
The tournament, said to be the toughest test in women’s golf, has women excited, including young prodigy Rose Chan.
“I love it here,” Zhang said Wednesday.
“This course is difficult. It’s very demanding on the fairways, on the greens and around the rough. It’s pretty demanding. The greens themselves are very undulating. It’s challenging and a worthy U.S. Open course.”
Chan last completed a full event at the Cognizant Founders Cup, where she won her second LPGA title in less than a year on tour, defeating veteran Swedish player Madeleine Sagstrom.
Zhang recorded four birdies in the final five holes to secure a stunning comeback victory.
Photo credit: Elsa/Getty Images
“A lot of things started to make sense to me,” Zhang said.
“I was really committed to my game and had the feel to attack the pin when I needed to and make the putts when I needed to.”
However, she was unable to defend her title the following week after withdrawing from the Mizuho Americas Open due to illness.
Her time away from the golf course won’t stop her from the challenges that await her in Lancaster, and she remains confident in her game as she sets her sights on winning her first major title.
“I feel like the game is heading in the right direction,” Zhang said.
“Regardless of the result, I feel like this is a big improvement from how I played two weeks ago.”
The LPGA will put even more focus on its players this week, with NBC Sports planning 26 hours of live coverage, including the third and final rounds on network television late Saturday and Sunday nights.
“I think we’re gradually getting used to it, especially when it comes to preparing and working on site,” Chan said.
“It’s almost gotten better because there’s more attention being paid to the women’s game. Everyone is encouraged and feels an obligation to come here and do their best. They do their best. I think there are positives to this.”
Chan is one of the players to watch this week, along with Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson. Chan will face some tough competition, but this young player has what it takes to win.
With Korda looking to win her second consecutive major championship and her seventh in her last eight starts, will fans get to see the world number one compete against another field, or will a player like Chan take home the U.S. Women’s Open?
Savannah Lee Richardson is a Golf Staff Writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow us for more golf articles. Follow You can follow us on all major social platforms. You can also follow us on Twitter Follow Instagram: @savannah_leigh_sports
