In January 2003 he became the first Chinese golfer to win on the European Tour,[2] and the following year was the first to compete in the Masters Tournament, one of the four major championships.

Zhang came to global attention at the 2003 Caltex Singapore Masters, where he edged out Ernie Els with a birdie on the final hole to become the first Chinese golfer to win on the European Tour.

His invite drew significant criticism, with many players believing that there were other Asian golfers more deserving of a place in the Augusta field.

[3] Zhang has won a total of five tournaments on the Asian Tour, and has a best end of season ranking of 2nd on the Order of Merit, achieved in 2003.

In 2009, while being invited to compete in the Omega European Masters in Crans-sur-Sierre Switzerland, Zhang met Stéphane Barras the local club pro, who later became his coach.