By: Max Bechtoldt
The final round of the 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup has set up a full blown duel, as Rose Zhang and Madelene Sagström have separated themselves from the rest of the field.
Coming into the round tied for the lead at -13, four strokes clear of world No. 1 Nelly Korda, Zhang and Sagström extended their leads thanks to fantastic rounds. Sagström shot a -6 66, her third consecutive round of 66 or better. Zhang shot -5 67, continuing her hot play in New Jersey. Sagström’s round was good enough to get her in the solo lead, one stroke ahead of Zhang.
LPGA color commentator Morgan Pressel told the anecdote that Sagström told her early Saturday that Upper Montclair is her course. A statement that is apparently very true. Sagström had no bogeys and six birdies, hitting 11 fairways and 15 greens in the process.
Zhang’s card wasn’t as clean, but her game was still firing on all cylinders, with 10 fairways hit and 15 greens in regulation. She had seven birdies with two bogeys.
Both players are hot with the flat stick, hitting putts from long range like they are easy tap ins. Their ability to conquer these greens have separated them from the pack.
Nelly Korda is tied for third with Sei Young Kim and Gabi Ruffels, both having terrific seasons, 11 strokes back of the lead. Korda’s round was erratic to say the best. On holes 2 and 7 she had brutal three putts, and had horrific tee shots on 11 and 12 that sunk her chances. She had four bogeys and three birdies to shoot +1. Notably, she had 34 putts.
While Korda’s five-tournament win streak will likely come to an end, there is still an exciting finish in store with a duel between two likely 2024 Solheim Cup players.
