SYLVANIA, Ohio — Rose Zhang walks up to the 18th green during the second round of the Dana Open golf tournament at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 14, 2023. | Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Rose Zhang, the 20-year-old phenom from Stanford, uncharacteristically struggled Friday, so much so that she missed the cut at the DANA Open.
Rose Zhang is used to dominating on the golf course.
Yet, during Friday’s second round of the DANA Open in Sylvania, Ohio, Zhang shot a 6-over 77 to miss the cut by two strokes.
It marks the first time she missed the cut in an LPGA Tour event.
Zhang’s poor play Friday may surprise some, especially after she carded a 5-under 66 during Thursday’s opening round.
But after Thursday’s round, Zhang explained how she did feel her best this week in Ohio.
“I will say that I’m a little more fatigued than I would like to be,” Zhang admitted. “I caught a cold, so my voice is not exactly the most normal right now.”
On top of feeling ill, Zhang experienced some travel issues flying east from Pebble Beach, where the U.S. Women’s Open was held last weekend.
“I had a nine-hour delay going from Phoenix, connecting flight to Detroit actually,” Zhang said. “So it was a bit of a travel mess. I arrived Tuesday morning at 3:00 am, so the practice rounds and the pro-am were a little bit shaky for me.”
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
SYLVANIA, Ohio — Rose Zhang plays a shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club on July 14, 2023.
Zhang’s fatigue caught up with her by Friday afternoon, as she failed to make a single birdie during her second round. Instead, she made six bogeys that ultimately sealed her fate.
Although a missed cut represents a failure, perhaps this week may serve as a blessing in disguise.
Hopefully, Zhang will take this weekend to rest up, recuperate, and get healthy before her next big LPGA Tournament.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.
