SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rose Zhang got two big gifts for her 19th birthday.
The Stanford freshman won the individual title at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship by three shots at Grayhawk Golf Club on Monday and on her birthday on Tuesday was named the winner of the 2022 ANNIKA Award, given annually to the player of the year in women’s college golf.
“I thought it was just a normal press conference but it turned out to be the ANNIKA award, and I was kind of shook by it because there were so many amazing players on the ANNIKA watch list and just being able to win, it’s crazy,” said Zhang of her surprise when she saw Sorenstam standing next to the award.
Last year, Zhang’s teammate Rachel Heck won the first individual national title in program history and also become the ANNIKA Award’s first winner from Stanford in its eighth-year history.
“Annika is arguably the greatest female golfer to play and having my name there is something that truly value,” Zhang continued. “For my peers and coaches and others to vote for me I feel like it really speaks volumes about how great I’m doing not only on the golf course, but off the golf course. That’s what I truly value.”
After winning her first three collegiate starts, Zhang ended a phenomenal freshman campaign with her fourth win of the season at the national championship following a final-round 75 – the same as Heck last year, as well. The Irvine, California, native led the championship wire-to-wire and was one of just two players to shoot two rounds in the 60s over the first four days in the desert. Zhang earned four runner-up finishes, a T-4 and a T-10 this season thanks to an impressive 69.68 scoring average, which sets a new single-season NCAA record.
The winner of the ANNIKA Award is selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media and has been handed out annually since the 2014 season.
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