EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France | The last two months have been a whirlwind for LPGA Tour rookie Rose Zhang. She won in her first start as a professional, capturing the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open title after defeating Jennifer Kupcho in a playoff, and then accepted immediate LPGA Tour Membership. A couple of weeks later, Zhang fired a final-round, 4-under 67 at Baltusrol Golf Club’s Lower Course to finish in a tie for eighth at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and backed up that major performance with another top 10, this time tying for ninth at Pebble Beach Golf Links in the U.S. Women’s Open. She missed the cut at the Dana Open after getting sick, which ended up being beneficial for Zhang as it allowed her to extend her time off and get some much-needed rest ahead of another major test this week at The Amundi Evian Championship.

“(Taking a week off) helped a lot just because it was a moment in time where I can settle down a little bit,” said Zhang. “My body was low-key breaking down because I was sick in Toledo, and so I had the chance to rest up a little bit. The travel part is very difficult as a professional, so for me to have that little break allows me to clear my mind a little bit and come into this European swing with a more fresh outlook on everything.”

Zhang got her first taste of Evian Resort Golf Club when she played in the Amundi Evian Juniors Cup at just 14 years old. It was the first time she had traveled outside of the United States for a golf tournament. The now 20-year-old is competing in her third straight Amundi Evian Championship having finished T58 and T65 in 2021 and 2022 as an amateur and will use all of that prior knowledge to her advantage as she looks to rekindle the magic she found in the last two majors. The Champions Course is demanding and success around it requires a player to be firing on all cylinders, something that Zhang is hoping she will be able to do on Thursday.

“There are a lot of different things that you have to do on this golf course,” she said. “Not only do you have to be a great ball-striker, but being on the greens, just converting putts and allowing yourself to have the feel for lag putting and being around the greens with a thick rough. These are all things that Evian really showcases, and you have to be able to perform to your best ability to even score really around this golf course.

“I think my advantage is more so just trying to be as consistent as possible. If all goes well, I'll be able to perform well. I'm pretty excited to start out.”

Rose Zhang Ready for Next Major Test at Amundi Evian Championship

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