The Stanford freshman won the individual title at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship by three shots at Grayhawk Golf Club on Monday and on her birthday on Tuesday was named the winner of the 2022 ANNIKA Award, given annually to the player of the year in women’s college golf.

“I thought it was just a normal press conference but it turned out to be the ANNIKA award, and I was kind of shook by it because there were so many amazing players on the ANNIKA watch list and just being able to win, it’s crazy,” said Zhang of her surprise when she saw Sorenstam standing next to the award.

Rose Zhang got her college career off to a fast start last fall, winning her first three events at Stanford. While she hasn’t hoisted a trophy in four tries this spring, she has two runners-up, a T-4 and a T-10. This stellar play has her headlining an elite group that find themselves on the Annika Award’s spring watch list.

Zhang is joined by Stanford teammates Rachel Heck and Aline Krauter, who are both having phenomenal seasons.

Heck, the 2021 Annika Award winner, has two wins in six starts this season for the Cardinal, bringing her collegiate trophy count to eight.

Stanford is well represented on this year's preseason watch list for the Annika Award presented by Stifel.

The Cardinal, widely considered the team to beat this season in women's college golf, boast three players on the list: reigning Annika Award winner Rachel Heck, No. 1-ranked amateur Rose Zhang and Angelina Ye.

The Annika Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding women’s college golfer, as voted on by players, coaches and media. Past winners of the Annika Award include Leona Maguire, Alison Lee and Maria Fassi.

Here are the 20 players who made the award's preseason watch list: