HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 20, 2024

Rose Zhang

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

TV

Q. Here with Rose Zhang, who wasted no time qualifying for this winner's-only field with her breakthrough win last season in her pro debut. So what's it been like getting to play in this event for the first time?

ROSE ZHANG: Oh, it's been incredible being able to play with top celebrities and people that you watch growing up on TV in other fields. It's just really cool to come out here. Even though it's super early in the season, just feel really grateful to be able to play at Lake Nona with everyone else that's here.

Q. Speaking of super early, you said earlier this week you were still up around midnight doing some homework. Skipping classes at Stanford this week to be here to compete. What's the biggest challenge for you in just jugging it all?

ROSE ZHANG: It's definitely a little bit challenging. You have to time manage well and really keep yourself more composed and disciplined in doing things, especially with winter quarter at Stanford. It's the quarter where everyone is really grinding and you really feel that atmosphere.

Springtime is where it gets a little better. I'm on the same wavelength as everyone else and just grinding through school. You do lose a little bit of sleep, lose a little bit of rest, but it's all worth it in the end.

Q. While you're still working towards your degree how much will we see you? What's your schedule look like?

ROSE ZHANG: You definitely won't see me too much. This is going to be my last event for a while, until Palos Verdes in March. I feel like in this time span I'm excited to just really grind, prep my body up.

Felt like it was a little bit of a shorter off-season than a lot of players wanted, but it was necessary for me to take that little break and do something else.