Rose Zhang of the USA has won the Mark H McCormack Medal as the leading women’s player in the 2020 World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
The 17-year-old pipped Yu-Chiang Hou of Chinese Taipei as the number one player in the WAGR thanks to a run of excellent results following the return to golf this year, which has been disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The McCormack Medal winner receives exemptions into the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie and the US Women’s Open at The Olympic Club in 2021.
Zhang recovered from a pre-championship wrist injury to win the US Women’s Amateur Championship at Woodmont Country Club in August, defeating defending champion Gabi Ruffels after two extra holes. In the semifinals, Zhang edged Malaysia’s top-ranked lady amateur Alyaa Abdulghany 2 and 1.
Two weeks later, Zhang emerged victorious in the Rolex Girls Junior Championship at Dalhousie Golf Club, Missouri, setting a course record with a first round 64 en route to a six-shot victory with a 15-under-par total.
Zhang earned the low amateur award in the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club last month after finishing in T11 place at the women’s Major. Her total of 280 was the lowest 72-hole score ever by an amateur, beating the previous best set by Caroline Keggi in 1988 and Michelle Wie in 2004. The result moved Zhang ahead of Hou in the WAGR standings for the first time this year.
In 2019, Zhang won the Toyota Junior World Cup, Swinging Skirts AJGA Invitational and Rolex Tournament of Champions and represented the USA in the Junior Solheim Cup at Gleneagles and the Pan-American Games.
“To win the McCormack Medal and join a list of such prestigious winners is such an incredible accomplishment and blessing. Over the past couple months, I’ve really persevered to better myself in all aspects of my golf game and physical condition. Receiving this award is continued validation that hard work pays off and it motivates me to continue this journey. It reignites my passion and love for this amazing sport,” said Zhang, who is the third consecutive American winner of the Women’s McCormack Medal following Jennifer Kupcho (2018) and Andrea Lee (2019).
The R&A and the USGA co-award the McCormack Medal, named after IMG founder Mark H McCormack.
The World Amateur Golf Ranking, which is supported by Rolex, was established in 2007 when the men’s ranking was launched. The men’s ranking encompasses more than 2,800 counting events, ranking 6,777 players from 106 countries. The women’s ranking commenced in 2011 and has a calendar of around 2,000 counting events with more than 3,375 ranked players from 78 countries.
