WATCH: Announcer completely butchers Rose Zhang's name on LPGA Tour debut
Rose Zhang's first day as a professional began with a mistake on the first tee.
Rose Zhang had a solid first round as a professional Thursday at the LPGA Tour's inaugural Mizuho Americas Open, but it started with a bit of a minor mistake.
Zhang, 20, announced she would be making her professional debut in an Instagram post last week.
The news came shortly after the California product clinched her second straight NCAA individual title. With it, she became the first woman to win back-to-back national titles.
That win also marked the 12th of her short collegiate career, breaking the previous record of most wins by a Stanford golfer. That record was held by three former collegiate players, one of which was Tiger Woods.
Zhang has become one of the most decorated amateur golfers of all time, which includes the Augusta National Women's Amateur title and most weeks as the No. 1 ranked women's amateur.
High expectations were set for her debut at Michelle Wie West's LPGA Tour event at Liberty National this week, and Zhang delivered on Thursday.
Rose Zhang caps off her first professional round with a BIRDIE on 18!
: @MizuhoLPGA on Golf Channel and @peacock pic.twitter.com/IWgkv3tMDg
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) June 1, 2023
The young star shot a 2-under 70 in New Jersey and was five strokes back of leader Lauren Hartlage after the completion of the first round.
However, it may have started with a mistake at the first tee.
According to Golfweek's Beth Ann Nichols, who covered Zhang's first round on Twitter, she hit a solid first tee shot.
Rose Zhang piped her first tee shot, as you’d expect. Michelle Wie West was standing in the bleachers filming. Screamed the loudest for the most anticipated pro debut in years. pic.twitter.com/PE3ftLRwwp
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) June 1, 2023
It was the announcer, however, who appears to have made a mistake at the first tee Thursday.
In a video posted to Twitter, the starter can be overheard mixing up her first and last name as she's introduced.
Here's the clip:
Striped. Quick tee grab. Pro pic.twitter.com/hXHGyAKp7T
— Will (@freewilllyyyy) June 1, 2023
