Rose Zhang talks LPGA success, U.S. Open stumble, Olympics hope in exclusive Q&A

It’s been a great season for Rose Chan.

She began with a top 10 finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, then took some time off to study for a degree at Stanford University. But in late February, she took a break from her studies to make her debut at The Match, competing against Rory McIlroy, Max Homa and Lexi Thompson.

Just over two months later, returning from a short break and playing just her sixth tournament, Zhang won the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey for her second LPGA Tour victory. Zhang then set her sights on Liberty National, where she had made her professional debut a year earlier, winning the Mizuho America’s Open before being forced to withdraw due to illness.

But Zhang then struggled at the U.S. Women’s Open, missing the cut in her next and most recent appearance.

Following two tough days at Lancaster Country Club, Chan spoke to Playing Through about a busy season ahead and what’s next, including another major and possibly an Olympic appearance.

One-on-one conversation with LPGA Tour phenom Rose Chan

(Editor’s note: This conversation has been lightly edited and revised for readability and clarity.)

Playing Through: What did you learn about yourself after your second win in New Jersey a few weeks ago?

Rose Chan: My season may not have been going smoothly so far, but if I stay persistent, I’m never far away. I knew throughout the week that I could really push myself and give it my best when it counted. So that gave me a lot of confidence in my ability to try and play some solid golf right until the very end.

PT: Looking back on the week, what do you think was the strongest part of your game?

Zhang: I guess my iron play was bad. But I was just so consistent from tee to green. I only missed the green twice that week. I think I shot 67. [of 72] green.

At the same time, my love-it-or-hate-it putter definitely worked for me that week, and it really gave me an advantage.

Photo credit: Elsa/Getty Images

PT: And your next start was at Lancaster. What went wrong that week? Was it a track issue?

Zhang: The course was very difficult and we knew it would be a tough test for everyone. But it was a perfect U.S. Open course. I think a lot has happened in that time. [my win in New Jersey and the U.S. Women’s Open] I was just trying to bounce back from that and work on my game as best as I could.

But if you’re not in good form, playing those types of golf courses can be very difficult.

So that was the main struggle, picking myself up and really trying to work hard.

PT: Was there a particular aspect of Lancaster that ruined your game?

Zhang: I wasn’t even close to a par chance, let alone a birdie chance. Most of the time I was just trying to save par or bogey.

At the same time, my putter let me down a few times, especially when I needed it most, so those were the things that changed my golf momentum.

PT: What was it like playing alongside Lexi Thompson in that environment?

Zhang: It was really unbelievable. I was so happy to be there, especially at the last U.S. Women’s Open when she announced her retirement. There was so much support for her. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been so impressed with what she’s done for women’s tennis.

Being a part of that has shown me just how impactful Lexi is and what an incredible person and player she is, and everyone should celebrate her and all she has accomplished.

Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

PT: What does it take to be successful at KPMG Women’s? PGA Championship A few weeks from now?

Zhang: I think this season has been pretty tough overall, just in terms of how you navigate everything and then have to peak at the majors.

But I think when I go into the next major, it’s a clean slate. Honestly, I’m not really thinking about it. I don’t have anything I want to prove to anybody, but I want to do the best I can for myself. I have people around me who are rooting for me. So that’s my number one priority.

But to play well in major tournaments, you need to make sure everything you’re doing is fundamentally strong, and then go out there and work hard.

That’s the most important thing: whoever puts in the most effort and makes the fewest mistakes will usually end up at the top of the leaderboard.

PT: Have you played Sahalee before?

Zhang: No, not yet.

PT: What did you hear about this course?

Zhang: All I know is that the course is really narrow and there are a lot of trees, but other than that that’s pretty much it. I’ve only played in Washington state once, and that was at a Pac-12 tournament in Washington state, at a kind of unique golf course in Pullman, Washington.

PT: And then, of course, we have the Olympics coming up. How do you feel about potentially playing in Paris and representing the U.S.?

Zhang: It would be such an honor and such a wonderful thing to represent my country. I’ve been watching the Olympics since I was a little kid, really since I was 5 years old, so it would definitely be a great experience to be in that environment with the best athletes in the world.

PT: Have you heard anything about the golf course in Paris called Le Golf National? Have you had a chance to play there?

Zhang: I actually played the World Amateur at Le Golf National, so I know the course very well.

(Zhang, along with Rachel Heck and Rachel Kuhn, won the silver medal for the United States at the 2022 World Amateur Team Championships. Zhang also tied for first place individually.)

Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PT: How close are you to finishing your degree at Stanford and how do you find time to balance it all?

Zhang: I’m currently taking a break from school because I want to prioritize golf this season. But I plan to return to Stanford next winter to take more classes. I plan to study on a rotation schedule for the next two, maybe three years.

And, you know, we’re doing well.

I think it’s a little difficult to balance because you have to sacrifice a little bit of sleep and rest.

But it was so much fun to be back on campus and be a full-time student with my other friends.

PT: Finally, you’re a big fan of USWING sunglasses and wear them all the time. How do they help you on the course?

Zhang: They have been a big positive for my game of golf and the way I spend time on the golf course.

I grew up in Southern California and now I live in Las Vegas, so when the sun is shining, I get some pretty intense light. Health is a big factor in making sure my eyes don’t completely melt when I’m outside. But my coach has definitely helped me find sunglasses that allow me to go outside and still protect my eyes and perform the way I want to. They’ve helped me a lot, and so far so good.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.