U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

June 2, 2021

Rose Zhang

The Olympic Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back. We are joined by our reigning U.S. Women's Amateur champion, Rose Zhang and McCormack medalist. Talk about playing a U.S. Open. You've done it before. Why is this week different?

ROSE ZHANG: Yes, it's definitely very different because it's in California, first of all, and being at such an amazing venue, the Olympic Club, is certainly a special thing.

Just being able to be here and just compete with everyone again and test my game, it's just pretty surreal.

Q. A lot of amateurs in the field. A lot of them are in college. They've been playing NCAAs. Tell us what the last few months have been like for you.

ROSE ZHANG: For me, I've just been playing a couple amateur events. I was able to get some sponsor invites to LPGA events and Symetra Tour. For me, it's just I've been struggling with school and making up everything. With that, I've just been trying to stay on top of everything I've been doing.

I know a lot of the college athletes, they've been playing their seasons and Pac-12s, NCAAs, so it's definitely different in that area. But overall, it's been pretty great.

Q. What is the greatest challenge that this week presents for you?

ROSE ZHANG: For me, I think it's just the rough. It's definitely very rough for everyone. It's grown a lot, and in January, when I played this course, the rough definitely makes a distinct difference when you play the course out there.

For me, it's just being able to stay in the fairways, just as everyone has, and with the greens being so small it's just playing really challenging.

Q. You said in the past that layouts requiring placement give you the best chance for success. That's definitely the case here. Are there any particular holes that you feel you can take advantage of because of that or any holes that stick out that really suit your eye?

ROSE ZHANG: I feel like there's a couple doglegs left and right that I'm able to kind of know where I'm going to place the ball, especially with the different lies on every single one of those par-5s and par-4s.

It's just you really have to know how to shape the ball, and for me, I think it's just being able to have a solid game plan, and then later on trying to execute that. It will definitely keep myself ahead of what I'm doing, and I'll just go from there.

Q. You've played in a bunch of professional events, as you just mentioned. What have you learned from those experiences?

ROSE ZHANG: I've learned to stay really patient out there, especially with every single course that the USGA has provided us. It's just you really have to know bogey is the score that you need to take and go to the next hole and try to execute your next shot.

So I think for us as players, it's just very important to stay in the moment and try your best to keep a positive attitude, especially on such a tough venue here.

Q. Is it any bigger deal to be able to play these events at a course that the men have held their majors at? A course like this one, getting to play a round at Augusta National, Pebble Beach coming up in two years. What does that mean or add to you in your mind?

ROSE ZHANG: I think it's amazing we're able to have so many opportunities, and with women's golf becoming bigger and bigger, we're able to showcase the world that women can play and women are also athletes.

So with these opportunities, I'm sure later on I will be able to have even more, and I think it's great the game is growing. Everyone's being more immersed into watching women's golf. So it's pretty amazing so far.

Q. When we saw you last summer, you were battling some wrist injuries. How are you doing health-wise?

ROSE ZHANG: Yeah, I think, especially with school, it's a little bit difficult trying to manage your time, and I'm just coming into this event pretty exhausted from graduation. I was having a birthday just last week, my 18th birthday, so that was pretty fun itself.

But I think overall my health is pretty good. My wrist is definitely a lot better, and I've just been trying to take it slow and just get back into it.

Q. Only one amateur has ever won the women's open. Given how well you've played at professional events, including the ANA, do you think about winning this week?

ROSE ZHANG: I think everyone has a dream of winning a major, winning the U.S. Open. For me, I think the process is more important. Definitely on this course and on any tough venue, you really need to stay in the moment.

Before you think about any of that, it's just important to keep to your game plan, and that's what I'm planning to do.