Just Getting Started

Sampson Zheng, China

‘This IS My Story’ is a series capturing how The International Series shapes the journeys of golfers across Asia and beyond. Professionals, caddies, and staff share their stories and show why The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf.

Known as one of China’s promising young talents, Sampson Zheng is a young professional golfer from China who has risen through the ranks while competing on The Asian Tour and The International Series.

My name is Sampson Zheng. I am 24 years old and from Tianjin, China. I picked up a golf club for the first time when I was nine and never imagined then how far the sport would take me or the places it would bring into my life.

I still remember the first time I swung a club. It was at a range in Japan, and my sister was there too, trying it for the first time. I remember watching her hit the ball better than I could, and I just could not let that happen. It amazed me how difficult it was to hit a ball that was not even moving. I was so frustrated that I actually fell in love with the challenge.

Tianjin is a place I hold close to my heart because I spent so many of my childhood years there. But when it comes to golf, the environment simply does not compare to Florida. In 2010, I attended a summer camp in Florida and immediately fell in love with the state. It had everything I wanted, and something in me just knew it was where I needed to be if I wanted to pursue golf seriously. I sat down with my mom, and somehow, at just ten years old, managed to convince her to move.

Later that year, I moved to the U.S., and golf became the constant through all the change. I spent seven years in Florida before heading to the University of California, Berkeley.

Because of golf, I have had the privilege to travel to countries I once only dreamed about. Some of my favourites are the UK, Mexico, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

I love the UK because it is where I had my first good finish as a pro last August at The International Series England. Most of the caddies I have worked with, and even my agent, are from there, so I like to think I have built a special connection with the UK over the years.

Australia is another favourite simply because I love the people there. I fell in love with Melbourne, and Royal Melbourne especially holds a very special place in my heart.

Mexico is also meaningful to me. Everything from the food to the courses to the hospitality was incredible. I will never forget going down to the beach, grabbing fresh sea urchins, and enjoying them with my teammates.

And then there is Saudi Arabia. The people have always been incredibly welcoming, and it is one of those places that genuinely makes me feel “out of this world.” It reminds me how diverse and fascinating our world really is. From the architecture to the food to the hospitality, every visit to Saudi Arabia is guaranteed to be a good time.

Gathering Of The World

One of the things that has shaped me most is competing in The International Series. It truly lives up to its name. Every event feels like a gathering of the world with so many different flags, players from everywhere, and an atmosphere that is more inclusive and more competitive than anything else I have experienced.

For players like me on the Asian Tour, The International Series means everything. People sometimes call it the “majors” of our tour, and I feel the same way. Each event gives us a chance to showcase our talent in a different country and helps grow the game globally.

A defining moment in my journey came just two months after I turned professional in August 2024, when I finished T-4 (tied fourth) at The International Series England. That result gave me so much confidence and reassurance that I was on the right path, that my game could hold up at some of the highest levels in golf.

Qualifying for the 153rd Open Championship so early in my career was another milestone I will never forget. Playing a practice round with Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, on my birthday, no less, was surreal. Watching how he prepared taught me a lot. The final result was not what I hoped for, but finishing the last seven holes at -2 reminded me that I have the skill to compete there. I just need to keep refining my craft.

Pressure And Potential

Life on Tour is not only about the highs. The mental side of professional golf is often overlooked, but it is everything. Missing cuts and playing poorly at times is just part of the job. I try to stay balanced by working hard, but also remembering to have fun. Sightseeing, trying new foods, taking time away from golf when I need it - those things matter just as much as the hours I put in on the range.

Being seen as one of China’s rising golf stars definitely comes with pressure, but it is a privilege, too. I am still far from my full potential and from where I want to be, but if I can use whatever influence I have to inspire the next wave of Chinese golfers, I would be extremely proud of that.

What excites me most about The International Series is the opportunity it creates for players like me. Playing LIV Golf is on our minds, and it should be. It is the ultimate goal, the chance to compete with the best golfers in the world. That is what is at stake.

Looking ahead, I have big dreams. I want to win major championships, and getting my first professional win would mean a lot. I have been close a few times now (most recently at The International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus), so I know it is coming. And I am ready for that next step in my journey.