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2020 Rolex Junior Players of the Year Announced

By AJGA Staff, October 28, 2020
Rose Zhang of Irvine, California, repeats as the top female junior golfer in the world with the American Junior Golf Association’s Rolex Junior Player of the Year award. Kelly Chinn of Great Falls, Virginia, earned the top honor in the Boys Division and joins Zhang on a historical list of Rolex Junior Players of the Year: Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods, Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer, Ariya Jutanugarn and Inbee Park.

Zhang becomes the first back-to-back player to receive Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors (2019 and 2020) in the Girls Division since Ariya Jutanugarn in 2011 and 2012. She is the sixth female player to receive the honor in consecutive seasons (Zhang, Jutanugarn, Victoria Tanco, Beth Bauer, Kellee Booth, Vicki Goetze) and eighth girl to add the multiyear accolade to a standout junior golf career (Grace Park and Heather Farr won in non-consecutive seasons).

Chinn becomes the first Virginia native to receive Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors. Both juniors also are honored as first team Rolex Junior All-Americans with this distinction.

The Rolex Junior All-America Teams annually recognize the world’s premier junior golfers. The 2020 class includes 48 boys and 48 girls, ages 14-19, from 26 states and seven countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Portugal, South Korea, and the United States. These young men and women distinguished themselves through exceptional play in 108 national junior golf events, 99 of which were conducted by the AJGA. The teams were determined exclusively through the Rolex AJGA Rankings as of October 14.

Zhang, Chinn, and the 2020 Rolex Junior All-America Teams will be honored virtually through a Rolex Junior All-America Awards celebration on Friday, December 4. “The Greatest Night in Junior Golf” will recognize the accomplishments and celebrate the achievements of the Rolex Junior All-America teams, AJGA Scholastic Junior All-Americans and Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award recipients.

Prior to the digital event, Rolex Junior All-Americans and a field of top players in the Rolex AJGA Rankings will compete at the Rolex Tournament of Champions, November 23-28 at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Rose Zhang
In the 2020 season, Zhang added three AJGA Invitational victories to an already impressive junior golf resume. The 17-year-old has not finished outside the top three in AJGA play since 2018. Zhang has compiled nine career AJGA victories, including seven Invitationals. She ended the season where she started, at No. 1 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings. She has held the position for more than 88 consecutive weeks.

Becoming a Rolex Junior Player of the Year is the greatest honor in junior golf. This award is truly something all talented junior golfers work hard to receive, and I’m extremely thankful to all my competitors who pushed my limit. I feel so thankful to be playing the game of golf, especially in this historic year. With the world experiencing so many difficult situations, having my best year in my golf career is special because I feel grateful to be even participating in events at a time like this.
ROSE ZHANG
Days after officially being crowned 2019 Rolex Junior Player of the Year, the high school senior began a repeat campaign by winning the 2020 AJGA season opener at the Rolex Tournament of Champions. She bested the 72-player field by 11 strokes and carded the low-round of the tournament in the Girls Division with a 5-under-par 67 on the Fazio Course.

Zhang continued her solid play in January with a T3 finish at the ANNIKA Invitational USA presented by Rolex, before golf paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

When Zhang resumed tournament play in August, she won the 120th U.S. Women’s Amateur while recovering from a pre-event wrist injury. She defeated 2019 defending champion Gabriela Ruffels in 38 holes to also mark the second-longest final match in championship history.

Two weeks later, Zhang put together a wire-to-wire performance to win the Rolex Girls Junior Championship, with help from a first-round amateur course record of 8-under-par 64. Zhang rounded out the four-day tournament with four-straight birdies to win her second Invitational of the season. With this victory, Zhang became just the fourth player to hold all three prestigious Rolex titles in the same season: Rolex Junior Player of the Year, Rolex Tournament of Champions and Rolex Girls Junior Championship.

In addition to national junior golf, Zhang also competed in an LPGA major at the ANA Inspiration in September. She broke the amateur scoring record and finished one stroke out of the top 10. Her tournament total of 8-under-par 280 was also the lowest score ever recorded by an amateur in the event. Zhang previously won the AJGA’s ANA Junior Inspiration in 2018.

Zhang’s nearly flawless season ended with dominant play at The PING Invitational at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She found herself in an unfamiliar place, four shots off the lead entering the final 18 holes. She put together a bogey-free 5-under-par 67 that held up for a come-from-behind win. Zhang’s 5-under-par 67 was also the low round of the tournament in the Girls Division. Combined with her win at the 2018 PING Invitational, Zhang joined three-time Rolex Junior All-American and 2009 Rolex Junior Player of the Year Jordan Spieth as the only two-time champion in the event’s 14-year history and the first girl to accomplish the feat.

Cementing herself as one of the best amateur golfers in the world, Zhang is also No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and was honored with the Mark H. McCormack Medal, co-awarded by The R&A and USGA to the world’s leading female amateur golfer. With her 2020 selection, the Stanford verbal commit earned a fourth consecutive berth on the AJGA’s Rolex Junior All-America first team, and her fifth overall honor.

Zhang also represents one of 11 Rolex Junior All-Americans who receive financial assistance through the AJGA’s ACE Grant program, established in 2003. Over the years, more than 2,400 talented junior golfers have turned nearly $4.7 million in junior golf opportunities into $15+ million in college scholarships. The program provides financial assistance, subsidized by private donations including by AJGA professional alumni, who believe all talented junior golfers should have the opportunity to compete for a college golf scholarship, no matter their family’s financial situation.

More than 200 junior golfers in 2020 utilized the program to combat even greater financial challenges.

Without the ACE Grant I wouldn’t be able to play in these prestigious events, get these experiences or become the player I am today. [It] is quite tough sometimes, and there are a lot of junior golfers who have financial hardships. For me, the ACE Grant has relieved such a burden from my parents’ shoulders, and I cannot thank the donors and sponsors enough for their support. It is an honor to be an ACE Grant recipient.
ROSE ZHANG

Video Twitter Post

Zhang’s 2020 highlights:

  • Five-time Rolex Junior All-American, four consecutive years on first team
  • Two-time Rolex Junior Player of the Year (2019, 2020)
  • Defended her 2018 title at the 2020 PING Invitational (2019 event was canceled due to weather impact)
  • Won, Rolex Girls Junior Championship and set an amateur course record in the first round
  • Won the first event of the 2020 season at the Rolex Tournament of Champions
  • T11 at the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration with the lowest 72-hole total score ever by an amateur
  • Won the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur in a playoff, the second-longest final match in championship history
  • Never finished outside the top three in AJGA tournaments in 2020 – tied for third at the ANNIKA Invitational USA presented by Rolex
  • Nine career AJGA victories
  • Honored with the Mark H. McCormack Medal as world’s leading female amateur golfer, co-awarded by The R&A and USGA
  • No. 1 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings for more than 88 weeks
  • No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings
  • First Rolex Junior Player of the Year to also be an ACE Grant recipient in 2019

Videos to Watch

Stanford superstar Rose Zhang to return for sophomore year
Rose Zhang Interview by Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship
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Testimonials

I had the pleasure to be around Rose Zhang the entire day today with her service day with East West Bank I am also an ambassador and navigate their golf sector for them. She is a joy to be around and no coincidence she has had your guidance all her life. Thank you for being such a great role model for all of us, and the future of golf. Although we have never worked together but I’ve known you since I was a junior golfer, and you’ve impacted me in ways you don’t know as well. Whether it’s a quick passing by on the range seeing me and a quick chat, or when you’re slammed with lessons and call me over to give me info about my swing. For all that and more you are the best.
Ben Lein
Ben Lein
Congratulations on the impact you are having on the game of golf by developing young talent in the women's game. Having played at the highest level and know the talent Rose brings to the LPGA, it goes without saying you are making a difference in the lives of those around you. I look forward to getting to know you more.
Lisa Strom,
Head Women's Golf CoachThe Ohio State University
As George’s student for the past 6 years, to say that he has helped my golf game is an understatement. When I first came to him when I was 11, his way of teaching really intrigued me with all the technology he had including Trackman, his side/front swing cameras, and his large TV’s. With the technology and his ability to analyze my swing effectively, my game has really improved greatly in each stage of junior and amateur golf. George has been a critical part of my development as a player both physically and mentally as he has provided me great advice not only in golf but in life as well. I am definitely extremely grateful and blessed to have him as a coach, mentor, and friend.
Rose ZhangNovember 2020
You are a fighter with a kind and big heart to create miracles in your players. We all should learn the life lessons, attitude and the tenacious fighting spirit that you have toward difficulties that you face. The fact that you will drive all the way to The Olympic Club, in San Francisco and back, proves that you are a real champion deserving of all the accolades, titles and trophies that your player’s win. I learned so much in so short a time while spending time with you at The Open. Your hard work ethics are a good path for me to follow. We, and all of those who you touch, owe you a deep, thank you, from the heart. If I had a coach like you, I would give everything I have to fight for victories. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open.
Enbo Zhang
In this time of Thanksgiving, we want to express our appreciation for you. Working with you has been an amazing opportunity. We appreciate your high standards, your persistence, your encouragement, and your sense of humor.
Chloe Lam and Family
Shot 64 to finish 2nd stage Japan Q-school to finish 3rd!!! It's been a great month of golf for me so far thanks to George Pinnell!
Rory Hie2 time NCAA All-American (USC)
I have been working with George since I was 14. George has given me a tremendous amount of help with all parts of the game including the swing, short game and putting as well as the mental part of my game. George’s knowledge and experience gives him the ability to be direct and speak to what changes should be made to improve my performance. Most important, he loves what he does and he is driven by that love. He cares about, and checks scores, for every single tournament his players compete in, no matter how big or small the tournament is. The information and support he gives to his players is really valuable. George once told me that “a player doesn’t know how good a coach is, until they know how much he or she, cares.” He is really good at reading players minds, so be prepared to communicate. George and I have become good friends during our time spent together during the last few years.
Nicole ZhangNovember, 2020
My first lesson with George was 3 years ago. During my first few classes, George already corrected nearly unnoticeable but very crucial mistakes in just my set up that I had never even realized. His ability to recognize anything from small details to major mistakes has greatly improved the consistency of my swing. Furthermore, George has shown genuine care for my mental and wellbeing outside of lessons when I’m traveling for a golf tournament. He is always there to check in with how I am feeling before and after the rounds. Thanks to George, I am always able to find my confidence again and focus on my game. I am truly grateful for everything George has taught me in both golf and life.
Charissa ShangJunior Ranked Player
Coach George has been a critical factor for my daughter, Angie Zhang, in her golf pursuit. Before our friend referred us to Coach George, Angie was at a standstill and shot in the upper 80s and even 90s with consistent back pain after her freshman Fall season in December 2019. That was very frustrating since she started golf late and had only been playing for two and half years. George graciously took her in and then trained her with his life-lessons, his advanced technology equipment, skillful instructions, and star-student- role-model setting. George quickly put her back on track for progress and health. Within a little over half year, he was able to get Angie's confidence back and she started shooting within 70s which was previously very rare for her. We are so lucky to be working with a truly talented coach. We could not thank George enough for devoting some of his time to Angie's interest!
Yingxia CaoMother of Angie Zhang's
My daughter Alice ziyi Zhao is lucky and proud to have George Pinnell as her golf coach, she likes his teaching very much. she improved much under his good teaching and is on the way to succeed as a junior golfer step by step. His way of teaching golf is very professional, and he is very experienced and nice with good personality. He not only teaches Alice the skill of golf technology , but also he teaches her mental guidance and how to become a good player. He knows how to encourage golfers to face the challenges and he knows everything about the growth of a good junior golfer in the process. He also teaches parents some advanced ideas about golf and how to become a good parent of a good golfer. we learned a lot from him. Thank you for all to George Pinnell!
Elena LiangMother of Alice Ziyi Zhao
For us, Coach George Pinnell has been the best coach ever to help my daughter Alesia Barry succeed as a junior golfer. He is very experienced and is truly an amazing person. And not only does he teach my daughter golf skills, he also coaches her on mental guidance and how to be a better person. And as a parent I learn quite a bit from him as well. He has a very personal style where he has individual chats with her, where he listens to her as much as she listens to him. This is where I think some of the best teaching happens. I only wish we could see him more often.
Victoria ZhangMother of Alesia Barry
Over the past three years, George has been my coach/swing coach. I’ve struggled so much through my high school career, but George was always there to guide me in the right direction. He believes so much in his players and loves what he is doing to help junior golfers grow. Now I’m going to Seattle University on a golf scholarship, I can certainly say that I’ve grow a tremendous amount as an athlete in the golf game and as a wholesome individual because of his genuine care and teachings. Thanks for everything George.
Keisha Lugito
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