Rose Zhang counts her experience in the Junior World Golf Championships as an important step in her golf career.
As a pioneer in g a name, image and likeness agreement in college, the Stanford alum from Irvine also appreciates the value of having good sponsorship.
Those two aspects merged on Friday, when the rising LPGA star participated in a ceremony at Torrey Pines to anoint one of her pro sponsors as the title sponsor of the newly named Uswing Mojing Junior World Golf Championships.
“Some of my future experiences and friendships stemmed from (the Junior Worlds). I also played with a lot of international players, and it was the first time that I was exposed to players not just from the United States. So that was really cool,” said Zhang, 21, who twice played in the tourney in the 11-12 age division. “Yes, there’s pressure for whoever wants that trophy, yet there is positive and negative pressure. I really wanted to enjoy it and play golf. I hope even in this caliber of junior golf, everyone realizes that it’s as simple as that.”
The new tourney sponsor makes Uswing eyewear, sunglasses said to improve on-course performance. The Chinese company, whose U.S. headquarters are in Lake Forest, offers a junior series with a starting list price of $349 per pair. The sponsorship deal between the company and the tournament is for three years.
“It’s so important to have a good team, and your team includes people who really believe in you and help you in your journey,” said Zhang, a two-time NCAA champion who won in her LPGA debut last year.
“These younger golfers are really seeing a new era with potential sponsorships for their future careers. There may be a little pressure, but at the same time if you handle it well, it’s such a positive element.”
Previous tourney title sponsors included the IMG Academy (2015-24) and Callaway (2002-14).
As part of the proceedings, Zhang also offered a putting clinic for seven junior golfers.
“It was a really good experience,” said Madisyn Paras of Chula Vista, a five-time tourney participant. “One tip that stands out is how to keep the pressure down. She mentioned that you can tense up on putts, but you should just let it happen naturally.”
The Junior World Championships, which originated in 1968, included some 1,200 golfers in 10 age divisions for boys and girls overall last summer.
Zhang appeared in the tournament twice, finishing 28th in 2014 and tied for seventh in 2015.
Zhang went on to attend Stanford, where she became the first collegiate golfer to sign a NIL agreement.
In addition to the Solheim Cup, Zhang earlier represented the U.S in the Paris Olympics this year. She tied for eighth, leading the three-member American team.
“As an athlete, the highest honor is to represent your country,” Zhang said. “It’s been a blast to put on the red, white and blue for the U.S.”
