Zhang, Ruffels, Walsh earn sponsor’s exemptions into Dana Open

The Dana Open has hit the jackpot with its three 2023 sponsor’s exemptions.
Rose Zhang, the number-one ranked amateur in the world, will be playing in the Dana Open after capturing the 2023 individual NCAA title in Phoenix.
Zhang, from Stanford University, became the first player in NCAA Women’s golf history to win the individual title two times (2022 & 2023). She also captured this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur. She will be playing in the Dana Open as a professional after her recent announcement to leave Stanford after two years to pursue a career on the LPGA Tour.
Stanford Coach Anne Walker called Zhang “A generational player.” “It’s cliché to say, but I never dreamed of having the opportunity to coach the greatest female amateur of all time,” Walker said. “Rose has broken every record, won every championship and taken our team to the top of college golf. She has led our team with class, both on and off the course, every day for two years. I’ll never coach anyone quite like Rose again.”
In 2015, the NCAA Women’s Championship changed the format from stroke to match play to decide the national championship. Since that time, the Dana Open has provided two of their three sponsor’s exemptions to the championship. One of the spots goes to the individual champion, while the second spot is awarded to a member of the winning team.
The second sponsor’s exemption into this year’s Dana Open is awarded to Lauren Walsh from Wake Forest University. Walsh, a senior from Ireland, lead the Demon Deacons to the team championship over the University of Southern California in the final match last week in Phoenix. Walsh, a three-time all ACC honoree, will be turning professional in time for the Dana Open. She hopes to join fellow Irish star Leona Maguire on the LPGA Tour in 2024.
The third sponsor’s exemption has been awarded to Gabriela Ruffels. Ruffels won the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and was an All-American at the University of Southern California. She turned pro in 2022 and is currently number-one on the Epson Tour money list. The Epson Tour is the development tour of the LPGA. The top 25 players from the Epson Tour at the end of the 2023 season will earn full status on the LPGA Tour in 2024.
“To have Rose Zhang, Gabi Ruffels and Lauren Walsh in the field is just awesome,” said tournament director Judd Silverman. “Rose is a superstar in the making, Gabi is having a phenomenal first year as a professional and Lauren just lead her team to the national championship. It will be fun to see how these great young players do against the best players in the world come July at Highland Meadows.”
The Dana Open will be held July 13-16 at Highland Meadows Golf Club. For more information on volunteer opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit https://danaopen.com/.