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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Beth Ann Nichols

Photos: Rose Zhang meets Tiger Woods at Amen Corner, receives ovation from Masters patrons at Augusta National

AUGUSTA, Georgia – As the Augusta National Women’s Amateur replayed on Golf Channel Monday morning, champion Rose Zhang was out on the back nine tracking Tiger Woods. Zhang got a prime seat at the back of the 12th tee alongside good friend and fellow NCAA champion Rachel Heck and waited for Woods, who was playing alongside Rory McIlroy and Fred Couples.

A member of Zhang’s team first got the attention of McIlroy, who nudged Woods to let him know that a fellow Cardinal was in the gallery.

“I got to shake hands with Rory and Tiger,” said Zhang with a wide smile. “And then Fred Couples came up and had me stand up. I was like, ‘Wow, I was really being put on the spot.’ ”

Zhang, 19, certainly deserved an ovation after clinching the ANWA in dramatic fashion on Saturday to add to one of the greatest amateur resumes the game has seen. Zhang joins Woods and Pat Hurst as one of three players to win the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Junior and NCAA Championship. She won the ANWA in her fourth attempt.

There’s a chance that Zhang could top Woods’ Stanford record in the coming weeks. The sophomore has won nine of 16 career starts for the Cardinal, including five of six this year. Woods holds the record for most wins at Stanford at 11, along with Maverick McNealy and Patrick Rodgers. Woods made 26 career starts in two years at Stanford.

Zhang, who first met Woods at the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup, has four events left on her spring schedule.

After meeting with the press on Saturday, Zhang headed back over to Amen Corner to take sunset pictures with her team.

“It was perfect,” said Zhang. “Kind of the calm after the storm environment.”

Masters 2023 leaderboardGet the latest news from Augusta

 

Tiger Woods greets Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion Rose Zhang on the 12th tee during a…
Fred Couples greets Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion Rose Zhang and Rachel Heck on the 12th…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy at sunset following the final round of…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy alongside her father and caddie Haibin Zhang…
Silhouette of Rose Zhang of the United States lifting the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy in…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy on the No. 13 green alongside Rachel…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy on the No. 13 green alongside Rachel…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy on the No. 13 green following the…
Rose Zhang crosses the Hogan Bridge at No. 12 with the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy…
Fred Couples greets Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion Rose Zhang during a practice round prior to…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy in front of the leaderboard at sunset…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy on the No. 13 green following the…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy on the No. 13 green following the…
Rose Zhang walks over Hogan Bridge with the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy following the final…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy on the No. 13 green alongside her…
Rose Zhang lifts the Augusta National Women's Amateur Trophy on the No. 13 green alongside her…
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