I Need to Reset”: Why Rose Zhang’s 2025 Season Went Wrong and How She Intends to Fix It in 2026
Rose Zhang burst onto the professional golf scene like few others in history. Turning pro in 2023 after a dominant amateur career at Stanford—where she became the first woman to win back-to-back NCAA individual titles—she immediately made headlines by winning her debut LPGA event, the Mizuho Americas Open. It was a feat not seen since 1951. Followed by another victory in 2024 and a flawless 4-0-0 record in the Solheim Cup, Zhang seemed destined for sustained dominance. Ranked as high as 12th in the world, the 22-year-old was hailed as the future of women’s golf.
Yet 2025 told a different story—one of frustration, setbacks, and uncharacteristic struggles. For the first time in her career, Zhang openly admitted to hitting the “hard struggle bus.” Limited to just 13 starts on the LPGA Tour, she recorded only a handful of top-10 finishes, with her best being a tie for fifth at the FM Championship. No wins, missed cuts, and a drop in the world rankings to around the mid-50s painted a picture far removed from her meteoric rise. What went wrong?
The root causes were multifaceted, stemming primarily from Zhang’s ambitious commitment to balancing a full LPGA schedule with her studies at Stanford University, where she is pursuing a communications degree. Early in the year, after a solid T10 at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January, Zhang elected to take an extended break—skipping the entire Asian swing—to focus on a heavy academic load during Stanford’s winter quarter. She took 22 units, a demanding slate that left little room for golf practice. While intended to bring “balance” to her life, this hiatus meant she shelved her clubs for nearly two months, returning rusty and out of competitive rhythm.
Compounding the issue was a nagging neck injury that struck shortly after her return. The spasms were severe enough to force withdrawals from key events, including the JM Eagle LA Championship and the season’s first major, the Chevron Championship. Zhang described the pain as debilitating, conceding matches and limiting her practice. She spent weeks in rehabilitation, even training at the UFC Performance Institute alongside fighters to rebuild strength. The injury not only sidelined her physically but took a mental toll, as she grappled with unrealistic expectations of immediate peak performance post-recovery.
Zhang has been candid about the mental strain. Past success bred high self-imposed standards, making inconsistencies feel amplified. “I expected way too much out of myself,” she reflected, noting how the pressure hindered her ability to stay present. The dual demands of tour life and academics drained her energy, leading to fatigue and reduced sharpness on the course.
By late 2025, signs of resurgence emerged—a strong showing at the FM Championship reminded everyone of her capabilities—but the season ended on a subdued note. Zhang skipped the fall Asian swing again to prioritize school and recovery, missing the CME Group Tour Championship. It was a year of valuable lessons, but one that left her hungry for redemption.
Looking ahead to 2026, Zhang’s outlook is optimistic and strategic. She has emphasized the need for a “reset”—both physical and mental. With her degree on track for completion in early 2027 (delayed slightly but steadily progressing), the academic burden will soon lighten significantly. By March 2026 or shortly after, Zhang expects to wrap up her remaining credits, freeing her to commit more fully to professional golf without the constant juggling act.
Her plan centers on returning to basics: prioritizing health to stay injury-free, rebuilding consistency through dedicated practice, and adopting a mindset focused on process over immediate results. “Going back to the basics and getting my mind fresh” has been a recurring theme in her reflections. She’s already enjoying golf more, free from the mental weight that plagued 2025. With full health and fewer distractions, Zhang aims to reclaim her spot among the elite, contending in majors and chasing victories.
At just 22, Zhang’s potential remains immense. 2025 was a humbling detour, but one that has equipped her with resilience and perspective. As she steps into 2026 refreshed and refocused, the golf world anticipates the return of the phenom who once seemed unstoppable. The reset is underway—and it could propel her to even greater heights.
