Stanford alumnae Andrea Lee and Rose Zhang are in full preparation mode for the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England, August 10-13.
Conducted by The R&A, the AIG Women’s Open is often called golf’s most international major and will feature a strong field of American players including the newly crowned U.S. Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz, and two past champions Stacy Lewis (2013) and Mo Martin (2014), who happen to be the last two Americans to raise the trophy.
The AIG Women’s Open will visit the Surrey venue for the first time in 2023 with the renowned layout having previously hosted the Ryder Cup, British Masters, and The Senior Open presented by Rolex as well as U.S. Open international qualifying 15 times since 2005.
Said Lee on looking ahead: “I’m trying to balance working on my game and resting my body when it makes sense. It’s been a busy summer with multiple Major Championships in a short period of time, so I want to peak when I get to Walton Heath and hopefully compete at a high level.”
Zhang has two top-ten finishes in her first two majors as a professional (tied eighth at the KPMG LPGA Championship at Baltusrol and tied ninth at the U.S. Women’s Open). She has played in only four events since turning professional including her victory at the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National GC, becoming the first LPGA Tour player to win in her first event since Beverly Hanson in 1951.
Zhang, who finished tied 28th at last year’s AIG Women’s Open and won the Smyth Salver as low amateur said: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind for me these last few months – from winning at Augusta National and then defending at NCAAs, followed by turning professional and winning my pro debut to secure LPGA membership. I am learning how to handle my schedule, travel, training, rest, etc…and will do my best to make sure that my game is in good shape leading into the AIG Women’s Open. I always love playing in the elements and on the biggest stages, and I look forward to getting to London to tee it up.”