‘It’s quite painful’ — Rose Zhang’s brutally honest admission about the hardest chapter of her career
Rose Zhang has always made excellence look effortless. The former Stanford standout became the first player in 72 years to win an LPGA event in her professional debut, spent more weeks at No. 1 in the world amateur rankings than anyone in history, and quickly established herself as one of the brightest young stars in women’s golf.
Yet behind the poised exterior and sparkling results, Zhang has been navigating what she now describes as the hardest chapter of her young career — and she is no longer sugar-coating how difficult it has been.
In a recent interview, the 25-year-old opened up with striking candour about the toll of trying to balance elite professional golf with the demands of completing her college degree at Stanford. “It hasn’t been very easy,” she admitted, “but it’s something that I would do all over again, even though **it’s quite painful**.”
The decision to prioritise her education over a full-time LPGA schedule in 2025 and into 2026 was controversial in some circles. Many wondered why a player with her talent and momentum would step back from the tour. For Zhang, however, the choice was rooted in long-term perspective. She had already achieved so much on the course — multiple NCAA titles, an LPGA win as a rookie, Solheim Cup experience — but she wanted the full college experience and the security of finishing her degree.
What followed was a grinding period of juggling limited tournament appearances, intense academic workloads, travel between campus and tour events, and the mental strain of never feeling fully settled in either world. Late nights spent on assignments after tournament rounds, early mornings on the practice range before classes, and the constant pressure of performing at the highest level while maintaining her studies took a heavier toll than outsiders could see.
“It’s quite painful,” she repeated, the raw honesty underscoring just how draining the dual commitment became. Zhang has spoken before about mental health challenges and the anxiety that can accompany elite sport, but this particular stretch felt different — a unique kind of exhaustion born from refusing to sacrifice either her education or her golf dreams.
Despite the difficulties, she has defended the decision firmly. Even on days when the schedule felt unsustainable and results were inconsistent with her sky-high standards, Zhang insists she has no regrets. The experience, however painful, has taught her resilience, time management, and the importance of building a life beyond the ropes.
As she edges closer to graduation in spring 2026, signs of relief are emerging. She recently posted a strong under-par round the morning after submitting a final paper, a small but symbolic victory that blended her two worlds. Her commitment to the new WTGL indoor league alongside stars like Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, and Jeeno Thitikul also shows she remains fully invested in her golf future — just on more sustainable terms.
This chapter has humanised Zhang in a way her earlier fairytale rise could not. Fans who watched her dominate as an amateur and burst onto the professional scene with such promise are now seeing the real cost of that ambition. The “painful” admission reveals a young woman willing to endure short-term discomfort for long-term fulfilment, refusing to follow the conventional path of full-time touring at the expense of everything else.
For Zhang, the hardest part may soon be behind her. Once she walks across the stage at Stanford, she can turn her focus more completely to golf without the constant tug-of-war. Yet the lessons from this gruelling period — about balance, sacrifice, and mental fortitude — will likely shape the rest of her career.
In an era when young athletes are often pushed to specialise early and chase success at all costs, Rose Zhang’s brutally honest reflection stands out. She has proven that even the most talented players can face seasons that test their limits — and that admitting the pain doesn’t diminish the achievement. It only makes the journey more relatable and, ultimately, more inspiring.
As she prepares for the next phase of her career, Zhang carries the scars of this challenging chapter with quiet pride. She chose the harder road, felt every bump along the way, and still believes it was worth it. That kind of honesty and conviction may be her greatest strength yet.
