KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY P&G

September 6, 2023

Rose Zhang

Kenwood Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, I'm here with Rose Zhang at the Kroger Queen City Championship.

Rose, was this the first time you played here at Kenwood Country Club?

ROSE ZHANG: Yes, it's the first time. It's been really incredible out here. The greens and the overall golf course is in great condition.

Heard last year there was a lot of rain, so this year is a little bit different which is really nice for everyone.

I've been enjoying it from the pro-am to just playing with my friends out there. We got a good practice round in.

Q. And then we'll hop right into it. Some exciting news with the full U.S. Solheim Cup team. What are you looking forward to most in the next few weeks?

ROSE ZHANG: I'm honestly looking forward to the camaraderie just because this is the U.S. Solheim Cup. Us as athletes, it's our dreams to be able to represent our countries, and for me to put on the red, white, and blue as a professional, there is no greater honor.

At the same time, I'm playing with players that I've watched growing up, and to say that we're teammates is pretty crazy, especially with everything that happened the last couple months.

I'm really excited. Spain is an incredible venue, so looking forward to it.

Q. What does it mean to you to have clinched a spot with only half a season? What does that mean to you?

ROSE ZHANG: It's been pretty crazy because I expected myself to also be a captain's pick. Initially I didn't even think it was possible for me to claim a spot because I wasn't an LPGA member to start with, so the fact that I was able to get in by rankings and have Stacy be my captain -- she was my captain at spirit international -- so the fact that we have that kind of little bond in common really makes me feel honored to be able to play with her and on her team again.

Q. And has it felt real yet? When did it start to feel real that it's happening, Solheim Cup, you're on the team?

ROSE ZHANG: I don't think it's actually going to start feeling real unless I go out there and actually play, just because it's almost like a surreal experience that I can't even imagine what it's going to be like on the first tee. Even in the practice round, going to the venue, it's going to seem all a dream until it's over.

So there is nothing -- there is so much to expect, but at the same time, I can't even imagine what it's going to be like.

Q. Headed into it, any advice you've received from different veterans, Stacy, on just how to handle all the pressure with it?

ROSE ZHANG: Yeah, yesterday we had a Solheim Cup USA team dinner, so it was really nice to get to talk to everyone, be with the caddies, be with the team, and everyone was just having a good time.

When I was doing the media release after Vancouver, I was able to talk to Stacy, Ally, Angel about the whole experience itself. Being on that first tee, everyone is going to have the tee jitters, and that entire week is going to be filled with adrenaline.

With that in mind, being able to calm yourself down, being able to place yourself in a perspective of playing for your team, it's all going to be very crucial.

Q. And then we'll shift a little bit. Your Stanford women's golf team recently won their first tournament of the season. What has it been like to watch and support them from a different view this year?

ROSE ZHANG: I was trying my best to refresh the leaderboards as much as possible. You know, it sucks to not be there with them, but it's just such an incredible experience, especially with Paula, who is an incoming freshman. She played super well for her first event.

Entire teamed played amazing. Meg got her first collegiate win. I think that entire week was honestly just such a dream week for them. I was so happy for them. I texted everyone. They're super pumped about the season starting. School hasn't started yet, so once they're back on campus it will be full steam ahead, schedule, workouts, practice, and everyone couldn't be more excited.

I'm really happy for them. I think they're going to do amazing the next couple months. They also have their backs. Everyone is super close. I don't think this year will be any different.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much. Good luck this week.