Bright future
A bogey at the downwind par-5 5th represented a disappointment, but Zhang remained in high spirits as she reached the turn in 36.
Three dropped shots followed on the back nine as the winds once again strengthened, before Zhang bounced back in style, birdieing the 16th and 17th to return to level-par.
She was unable to convert a 10-footer for par on the final hole, but Zhang could still be enormously proud of her efforts.
Zhang succeeds Louise Duncan as the winner of the Smyth Salver and also joins the likes of Hall, Michelle Wie, Anna Nordqvist, Danielle Kang, Lydia Ko, Leona Maguire and Atthaya Thitikul in earning the honour.