LPGA rookie phenom Rose Zhang has struggled over the previous few weeks, however she has discovered her kind on the Kroger Queen Metropolis Championship.
She fired off a 4-under 68 on Friday to sit down at 6-under within the match. Zhang is at present eight photographs off chief Peiyun Chien, however something might occur.
After her 2-under 70 throughout the first spherical, Zhang flipped a change.
“Right now was rather a lot higher. I felt like I used to be rolling my putts nicely,” Zhang stated. “I used to be hitting the place I wanted to be. In the midst of the spherical, I had little slight mishaps, however total, I’m very happy with the way in which I’m taking part in and the way I’m committing to each single shot.”
On Friday, she began on the again 9, the place the two-time NCAA particular person champion made 4 birdies. When Zhang made the flip, she made a bogey on the par-4 1st and par-3 third. The opening three-hole stretch is without doubt one of the most troublesome components of the Kendale Course at Kenwood Nation Membership in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“It’s a recreation of precision, and with the ability to put the ball the place it is advisable to be is sort of essential,” Zhang stated.
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“I’d say method photographs. Some holes are inclined to bounce out — some holes are inclined to spin. Understanding the best way to hit your yardages and getting these numbers dialed in… However these greens are additionally very slippery.”
Zhang hit 13-of-14 fairways and 14-of-18 greens in regulation. The 20-year-old put collectively the spherical she wanted on Friday to play good however aggressively on Saturday.
“Tomorrow, the sport plan goes to be the identical, and I’m going to attempt to do what I can to present myself extra alternatives however preserve it easy,” Zhang stated. “Transferring day, if alternatives come up, I’m going to attempt to take them. In the event that they don’t, I’ll simply be affected person.”
Zhang should anticipate the afternoon spherical to see who she’ll tee off with for transferring day, however proper now, the rookie sits in a fantastic spot to capitalize.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You’ll be able to observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.