No more NIL, Rose Zhang connects Adidas Golf with the pros

A year ago, as Rose Zhang built the resume that would make her the most decorated women’s amateur golfer, she became the first collegiate athlete to sign a name, image and character (NIL) endorsement deal with Adidas.

Now, as she turns pro and makes her LPGA Tour debut this week at the Mizuho Americas Open, Zhang has strengthened her ties to Adidas. The 19-year-old Stanford University product signed a multi-year deal to wear Adidas apparel, footwear and accessories on the golf course.

“As I begin this next phase of my career, I can’t wait to represent the 3-Stripes as a professional,” said Zhang, who ends her amateur career with an unprecedented 141-week run at the top of the women’s amateur golf rankings. During the past year, we have been able to do wonderful projects together. I love the products and can’t wait to continue this journey with the adidas team.

Zhang completed her sophomore year at Stanford earlier this month by becoming the first woman ever to win back-to-back NCAA Division I individual golf titles. She received the 2022 and 2023 Annika Award as the nation’s top female golfer and posted an NCAA record scoring average of 68.7 this season, surpassing her previous record last year by nearly a stroke.

Zhang’s amateur wins include the 2020 US Womens Amateur, 2021 US Girls Junior and 2023 Augusta National Womens Amateur. He also won 12 NCAA Tournament titles in just 20 collegiate starts at Stanford, a school record tied with Tiger Woods, Patrick Rodgers and Maverick McNealy.

Rose is an elite golfer who represents the future of the women’s game, said Tim McNulty, Global Sports Marketing Director, adidas Golf. His accomplishments to date are exceptional, but we know he is determined to be the best in the sport, and that’s something we’re excited to support as he begins the next chapter in this history-making process.

Zhang joins a roster of adidas athletes that includes world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, No. 5 Minjee Lee, No. 14 Nasa Hataoka and No. 22 Linn Grant on the women’s side, as well as World No. 5 Xander Schauffele, No. No. 17 Collin Morikawa and No. 18 Tyrell Hatton on the PGA Tour.

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