Defending champion Rose Zhang withdraws from Mizuho Americas Open

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 of her professional career got stalled before it really got started as the 20-year-old withdrew from the event after playing three holes in the first round on Thursday. The LPGA announced Zhang had withdrawn from the event due to illness.

Zhang had started on the 10th tee and made a bogey on her second hole (No. 11) to sit at one over when she withdrew.

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.

Last year at the Mizhuo, Zhang became the first player since Beverly Hanson in 1951 to win in her first career start as a pro on the LPGA Tour.