A Debut to Remember

06/05/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

20-Year-Old Rose Zhang Wins LPGA Debut; Viktor Hovland Steals Memorial Tournament With Late Surge

Not one, but two golf stories surfaced from Sunday in the PGA and LPGA. Viktor Hovland won his first tournament of the year with a four-stroke Sunday comeback while LPGA rookie Rose Zhang made history as the first player to win her debut tournament in 72 years.

LPGA: Zhang Makes Debut History

Rose Zhang won the NCAA golf tournament less than two weeks ago for Stanford, and she wasted little time getting her first win on the LPGA Tour. Zhang conquered Liberty National Golf Course with a 9-under playoff victory on Sunday just 13 days after winning the NCAA title. The 20-year-old Zhang is the first women’s golfer to win in her first appearance on the LPGA Tour since 1951 (Beverly Hanson). The LPGA just added a star.

PGA: Hovland Rallies to Take Memorial

Viktor Hovland (-7) rallied on Sunday at Muirfield Village to beat out Scottie Scheffler (-6) and Denny McCarthy (-7) and win The Memorial Tournament. Rory McIlroy (-3) began Sunday with the lead while Hovland was four strokes back. McIlroy faltered, Scheffler surged, but Hovland birdied the 17th to force a playoff with McCarthy before capitalizing and claiming his fourth career PGA Tour win (1st of 2023).

PGA: Mature Viktor Hovland Wins Memorial Tournament With Clutch Late-Putting

Photo: Elsa / Getty Images