July 9, 2010

OAKMONT, Pa. – Notre Dame incoming freshman Nicole Zhang posted her second-consecutive round of 78 on Friday at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open from Oakmont Country Club.

After struggling out of the gates with back-to-back bogies to open her round, Zhang settled down and put together a string of eight consecutive pars. The stretch included a par at the tenth hole, which is playing as the most difficult hole on the course, scoring nearly a full stroke over par (4.97).

Zhang would follow with five bogies in the next six holes to push her to 8-over for the day, but ended on a high note notching a birdie on the 17th before ending her round with a par.

The Calgary, Alberta native continued to hit the ball well off of the tee, driving the ball an average of 259.0 yards while hitting eight fairways. Zhang’s short game improved tremendously from the first round as she found herself on the green in regulation on 10 of 18 holes (56%) after reaching only seven greens in regulation over the opening 18 holes (39%).

Zhang will arrive at Notre Dame in the fall as the 10th-ranked recruit for the class of 2010, according to Golfweek.

–ND–