What We Know About Tiger Woods' Relationship With Rising Golfer Rose Zhang

Tiger Woods recently had some kind words for Rose Zhang amid her successful golf debut. Zhang, who at 20 years old recently embarked on the world of professional golf, won her first LGPA game — the first pro to achieve this record since 1951, per The Guardian. "What is happening? I just can't believe it," said Zhang. "It was just last week that I won NCAAs with my [college] teammates, and to turn pro and come out here, it's just been amazing." 

Naturally, Zhang's debut has generated widespread celebration and co-signs from several professional golfers in the industry. Justin Rose tweeted, "Think the rose emoji in golf is around for a few years!!! Congratulations Rose Zhang on the fantastic win today." Meanwhile, Max Homa wrote, "Rooting for Rose here despite her tie to the private school down the road from Cal." Woods also took to Twitter to give Zhang her props. "Incredible few weeks for Rose Zhang, defends her NCAA title and then wins in her Pro debut. Go card!" tweeted Woods on June 4. 

Is Tiger simply uplifting Zhang or do they share a personal bond? 

So far, it doesn't appear as if Tiger Woods and Rose Zhang know each other very well, though they obviously respect each other's talents. Prior to her LGPA win, Zhang fielded questions during a press conference and revealed the scope of her relationship with Woods." I've never had any explicit advice from him, but I would say his presence itself says a lot," said Zhang (via ASAP Text). "He accomplished way more than any golfer in this generation, and I think him as a role model for the game of golf, what he did to modernize the entire sport, is truly amazing." She continued,  "So I never really had any conversations with him, but he did text Coach Walker here and there, oh, congrats to Rose. It just shows that I'm on the right track if he's able to keep up tabs somewhat of what I'm doing."

Of course, Zhang was ecstatic to eventually find out that Woods had supported her LGPA win via Twitter. "Tiger Woods? Oh, my gosh. That's crazy," Zhang said after learning of Woods' supportive gesture (via Yahoo! Sports). "What can I say to that? I think the reaction itself says everything. It's just so amazing that he's even keeping up the tabs with me." The publication also noted the similarities between Zhang's and Woods' college career streaks, although Zhang has already edged Woods' out, winning one more Stanford University tournament than her golf idol. 

Back in April, Rose Zhang and Tiger Woods were photographed together. According to Golf Week, Zhang attended Woods' April 2023 Augusta National's game and leveraged her newfound popularity into a quick meeting with Woods. After Woods was alerted of Zhang's presence, he extended a friendly hand to her and golfer Rachel Heck. "I got to shake hands with Rory and Tiger," said Zhang of the moment. "And then Fred Couples came up and had me stand up. I was like, 'Wow, I was really being put on the spot.'" According to Golf Week, Zhang and Woods' first meeting occurred five years earlier in 2018.

Zhang isn't the only young golfer who Woods has shown support to. Woods often supports his teen son during his golf tournaments. He also gives him advice, too. During the Hero World challenge, Woods said, "I told [Charlie], 'Don't copy my swing. Copy Rory's,'" (via Golf Channel). "Have you ever seen Rory off balance in a shot. Not ever. That's one of the things my dad instilled in me, is that you should be able to balance and hold your finish until the ball rolls and stops. You can swing as hard as you want, but you need to have balance."

Good to know Woods' isn't above being a little shady, even with himself.