Rose Zhang won the 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup, ending Nelly Korda’s impressive winning streak on the LPGA Tour.
Zhang, 20, finished strong by making birdies on four of her last five holes, ending two shots ahead of Sweden’s Madelene Sagström at Upper Montclair Country Club. Zhang started the day one shot behind Sagström but played aggressively to take the lead and secure her second LPGA Tour win. Last year, Zhang made history by winning an LPGA tournament on her professional debut, becoming the first player in 72 years to do so. Before turning professional, she was the most decorated player in women’s amateur golf, winning back-to-back individual NCAA national titles.
Since her first victory at the Mizuho Americas Open, Zhang had struggled to find consistent success. However, at the Founders Cup, she played her best, with all four rounds in the 60s – a first since joining the LPGA Tour. She led in several key statistics, including most birdies, most greens hit in regulation, and fewest putts needed.
Nelly Korda, the world No. 1, had been on a historic winning run, with five consecutive tournament victories. She was aiming for a sixth straight win at the Founders, which would have been a record. Despite starting strong, Korda struggled in the later rounds and finished tied for seventh, 17 shots behind Zhang. After the tournament, Korda reflected positively on her remarkable winning streak.