Rose Zhang became the number one amateur golfer in the world this week ©Getty Images

World number one amateur golfer Rose Zhang of the United States has become the first student-athlete to agree a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) endorsement agreement with global brand Adidas.

Zhang, who is set to participate in the US Women's Open tomorrow, has agreed a multi-year contract as a brand ambassador. 

Adidas first revealed plans for a new NIL network earlier this year, which will aim to involve over 50,000 student-athletes across 23 sports and 109 D1 universities. 

The programme will allow the athletes to make money from social media posts. 

The 19-year-old Zhang won the US Women's Amateur in 2020, and added to her growing reputation by winning the individual and team 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association D1 Women’s Golf Championship last month.



"Adidas has been a major part of some of my biggest wins as an amateur, so this is an exciting moment for me," said Zhang.

"I’m most comfortable wearing the 3-Stripes on the course and can’t wait for what’s ahead."

The brand has said that athletes at all eligible schools will have access to the programme by April 2023, and that more female student-athletes who have agreed to the endorsement will be announced soon. 

Zhang has started in every edition of the US Women’s Open since qualifying as an amateur in 2019.

Play at the US Women's Open is scheduled to run until May 5.