Rose Zhang dominates U.S. Girls Junior Amateur, improves ridiculous match-play record

The Stanford commit was dominant all week at Columbia Country Club in Maryland, as she medaled in the stroke-play portion of the event — including a course-record 62 during the second round — and cruised through the first four rounds of match play.

Zhang’s biggest obstacle en route to the Glenna Collett Vare trophy came in the semifinals, as a scrappy Paula Miranda took the No. 1-ranked amateur to extra holes. Zhang eventually punched her ticket in the final with a birdie on the second extra hole.

“It was the first time I was down in any of the first three matches,” she said. “Being able to stay patient when I’m down and fighting my way back is very important in match play.”

Zhang didn’t have to worry about playing from behind during the championship match. The matchup was back and forth over the opening nine holes, but on the second nine of the day, Zhang began to take over. When the competitors broke for lunch, she’d stretched the lead to 4 up.

The next nine holes were more of the same. Zhang kept stretching her lead on Davis — at one point getting as far ahead as 6 up — and turned the proceeding into a coronation. Following a three-hour rain delay, she closed out the match on the 14th hole to secure the title.

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF.com, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and is the staff’s self-appointed development tour “expert.”