JERSEY CITY, New Jersey – Seconds before Rose Zhang was scheduled to step onto the dais for her first press conference as a professional, Anne Walker’s 8-year-old daughter walked up to give Zhang a small gift. Walker smiled as she recalled the way Zhang patiently interacted with her Emma, as in-the-moment and genuine as one could possibly be on the cusp of a hello-world splash.
“I think her humility is going to be her super power out here,” said Walker, who guided Zhang for two years at Stanford, where her 12 titles included back-to-back national championships.
It’s fitting that Zhang makes her professional debut at the Mizuho Americas Open, where Liberty National’s iconic views of the New York City skyline and Statue of Liberty serve as a reminder of how badly the LPGA needs an American superstar. LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan was there to greet Zhang as she left the press tent.
Zhang told the world last Friday of her plans to turn professional, but those in her inner-circle have known for some time. Zhang said there was a lot of internal debate about how to tell her teammates, but she knew they’d be supportive of her decision. The hard part, she said, was coming to terms with the fact that her idyllic college life wouldn’t last forever.
“Just understanding what my dynamic would be like in the future kind of broke my heart a little bit,” she said. “It’s like breaking up with 10 people instead of one guy.”
As Zhang took questions from the media, Tiger Woods’ longtime agent Mark Steinberg was on hand. Excel Sports Management represented Zhang for her NIL contracts and will continue on for the next chapter, with Excel vice president Kevin Hopkins serving as her agent. Zhang will continue to be sponsored by Callaway and Adidas. On Tuesday, she announced the addition of Delta, East West Bank and Uswing Mojing. Zhang wore a Rolex watch during her press conference, though nothing official has been said. She was also sponsored by Beats by Dre in college.
Zhang’s father, Henry, will travel with her this summer as she has eight LPGA starts already on the docket, including four majors. When it comes to the expectations of others, Zhang operates under the mindset that embracing works better than blocking out.
“I would say, you know, I take it as a compliment,” said Zhang. “They think I have the ability to go out and there and win every single time, so might as well just try and see if I can live up to those…
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