KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY P&G

May 16, 2026

Rose Zhang

Maketewah Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, we are joined by Rose Zhang after her third round at the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G. 4-under bogey-free round today. Was it as stress-free as the card looked?

ROSE ZHANG: It was -- I honestly don't think so on this golf course, just because you always have to keep yourself on your toes. When it came to driver shots and when you're hitting out of the rough you have to be really careful with where you want to place the ball.

But I would say for the most part, been able to navigate the golf course really well today comparative to the last two days.

Q. And then on the back nine, hit every green in regulation; two putted everything. Talk about staying within your rhythm and not getting frustrated by not making anything and continuing to play good golf.

ROSE ZHANG: For sure. You know, I had a couple close calls, especially the back nine, and had a couple inches that needed to be reached.

But I think for the most part I'll take what I can get on this golf course. I feel like it's always a confidence building effort to hit greens in regulation and try to make putts.

Ultimately, if I'm able to do that, then the game will be a lot easier. (Laughter.)

Q. And then currently a first alternate at of one the U.S. Open qualifying sites. Outside the top 75, but a good week here can bring you in. Has that been in the back of your mind this week?

ROSE ZHANG: Honestly, not really. I think if anything, I tried my best at the actual site. I feel like this is my first official rookie year, as weird as it sounds, given there has been a lot going on in personal life and my double life outside of golf.

So I think being able to be composed and take what I can get, that's really my priority.

Q. What was the biggest difference today versus the first two days?

ROSE ZHANG: Really honestly I think the I think the first two days my ball striking was just not there. I feel like my back has tightened a lot since I played 39 holes on Monday for that qualifier.

It's been a lot of golf, and today I've been more prepared to kind of help my body prepare for the round that I'm about to play. Was able to open my back up a little bit to get myself in the spots that I needed to on the golf swing and feeling that rhythm.

Q. You posted earlier this week a lot of golf, a lot of learning. What did you mean by that?

ROSE ZHANG: I feel like golf is a game that just likes it tear you down a little bit, a lot bit, and I think my main goal was really to go back to basics and go back to the learning curve of what do I do fresh out, feeling like a rookie but trying to get this game to become something of second nature.

I've been navigating that the last couple weeks, if anything, the last year. So it's always been the top of mind to keep learning and there is a lot more to go. (Laughter.)

Q. You mentioned golf kind of beating you down. How do you feel like you build back up?

ROSE ZHANG: Yeah, I think if anything, it's always -- goes back to mindset, goes back to preparation work, and honestly, putting your best foot forward every single day when you show up to practice, when you show up to a tournament.

I haven't, to be honest, been the best at doing that, and I've been trying to dial in with actually prioritizing golf a little bit more.

Safe to say that I feel like I've been doing a good job of that. Regardless what happens the next couple weeks or tomorrow, I've really set that pace going forward. Really just putting my best self out there.

Q. What do you feel like you'll have to do well on this golf course tomorrow to try and give yourself a chance?

ROSE ZHANG: Ball striking needs to remain the way it is. Need to give myself the best opportunities to hit fairways, to hit greens, and then goes back to putting.

Then if you do end up in trouble on this golf course, need to take your medicine. And so that's what I'll be doing tomorrow.