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Defending champion Rose Zhang withdraws from Mizuho Americas Open – Australian Golf Digest

Defending champion Rose Zhang withdraws from Mizuho Americas Open – Australian Golf Digest

Rose Zhang was considered a favorite this week at Liberty National, thanks to her historic victory a year ago at the inaugural playing of the Mizuho Americas Open. But her first title defense as a professional career got stalled before it got started as the LPGA announced early Thursday morning that the 20-year-old had withdrawn from the event due to illness.

No more information was immediately available.

Zhang not only had good memories from this event a year ago—it was her first start after turning pro following a legendary amateur career and in storybook fashion she won to earn immediate membership on the LPGA Tour. She also had momentum from last week’s Cognizant Founders Cup. Zhang claimed her second LPGA victory on Sunday at Upper Montclair Country Club in nearby Clifton, N.J., shooting a final-round 66 including birdies on four of her last five holes to rally past Madelene Sagstrom.

More From Golf DIgest cognizant founders cup Rose Zhang erases 3-shot deficit with 4 late birdies to capture second LPGA title; Nelly Korda T-7 in bid for sixth straight From the archive How Rachel Heck got beloved teammate Rose Zhang ‘out of her shell’ cover story Golf Digest Logo Rose Zhang won at Augusta, then in her LPGA tour pro debut. What’s next for this 20-year-old budding star?

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com