Sagstrom and Zhang separate at Founders Cup, defeating Korda’s bid for record 6th consecutive LPGA victory

CLIFTON, New Jersey – Madelene Sagstrom and Rose Zhang left Nelly Korda and everyone else behind on Saturday at the Cognizant Founders Cup.

Trying to win her sixth consecutive LPGA Tour event, Korda was 11 shots behind Sagstrom and 10 behind two-time NCAA champion Zhang with one round remaining at Upper Montclair Country Club.

After months of near-perfect play, Korda inexplicably hit bad putts, found fairway bunkers and missed putts. She shot a 1 over 73.

Sagstrom, who has played well on this course the past three years, had a 66 to reach 19-under 197. Zhang, who won in his professional debut at New Jersey a year ago, had a 67 after missing a short birdie putt on the number 18.

Unless something unexpected happens, one of them will win their second LPGA Tour title. Sagstrom, 31, has not won since 2020. The Swede had a round of six birdies without bogey, highlighted by three in a row on the last three holes of the front nine.

Zhang, 20, who won the Mizuho Americas Open in Jersey City last year, had seven birdies and two bogeys.

Korda was tied for third at 8 under with Sei Young Kim of South Korea and Gabriela Ruffels of Australia, who shot 67 each.

Korda, 25, had three birdies and four bogeys, the first coming on the opening hole after finding a fairway bunker.

The LPGA Tour record for the largest deficit overcome to win a tournament is 10 strokes. This was done three times with Mickey Wright (1964). Annika Sorenstam (2001) and Louise Friberg (2008).

Korda entered the tournament with two weeks off after winning the Chevron Championship. It was her fifth consecutive title and tied Hall of Famers Sorenstam (2004-05) and Nancy Lopez (1978) for the longest winning streak on the tour.

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