Portrush, Northern Ireland: On the eve of his Major debut, Sampson Zheng could be forgiven for experiencing a myriad of emotions.
Had things worked out slightly differently, the US-educated Chinese golfer, who’s celebrating his 24th birthday today, would have teed-up in both the Open Championship and Masters Tournament last year.
But fate decreed that would not be the case, Zheng being edged out in a sudden-death play-off at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Royal Melbourne.
As the last man standing, it was Australian Jasper Stubbs rather than Zheng or Ding Wenyi (who also made the play-off) who claimed the honour of starting spots at Augusta National and Royal Troon.
Some 21 months may have elapsed since that painful loss. But the defeat still rankles with Zheng.
He said: “I was really, really bummed that week at the AAC. But thankfully, everything worked out. I kind of used that as a fuel and played good after that.
“That tournament is part of the reason why I got here today as a pro. Things happen for a reason, but it always works out in the end, if you just keep knocking on the door.”
Now that door has opened, and the graduate of the University of California, Berkeley who starred for the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s triumphant team in the Ryder Cup-style Bonallack Trophy in Spain in August 2023, is contemplating the next exciting steps in his fledgling career.
Among other things, missing out on those Masters and Open appearances prompted Zheng to relinquish his amateur status a little earlier than he had hoped.
Turning professional mid-way through 2024, he made an immediate impact on the Asian Tour, finishing joint fourth in the International Series England and tied second in the Mandiri Indonesia Open.
The first half of 2025 proved a little tougher going only for an upswing in fortunes to begin on the first day of July in Final Qualifying at West Lancashire where Zheng fired rounds of 68 and 69 to take the second of five available places on offer for Royal Portrush.
A few days later, Zheng finished joint 10th in the International Series Morocco, his first top-10 of the season and a timely confidence-booster.
The memories of his performance at Royal Melbourne will also inspire self-belief in Zheng this week.
He said: “Conditions are pretty similar here in many ways. It will be windy, of course. The greens will not be as fast, but the pins will probably be around the same toughness as well. They really toughen it up for us at the AAC. So, definitely a lot of confidence, thinking back (about the AAC).
“I haven’t played real links courses in this area of the world much, but playing Royal Melbourne was probably very close. The fairways were firm, and the wind was up when we played the AAC. So, I can hopefully bring my learnings from there to The Open.”
Teeing-off alongside Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, another ex-AAC participant, in round one tomorrow, Zheng has only positive thoughts in his head.
He said: “I am very excited. This is what I have dreamed of doing all my life. This is what I look forward to, and this is why I play golf.
“Whenever I play events, it’s about giving myself the best chance to win. This week is no different, even though it’s my first Major.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, and I don’t want to say I can win, but I’m doing everything I can to get myself up there on the leaderboard.”
