Nelly Korda’s historic LPGA winning streak ends at 7 tournaments as Rose Zhang wins Founders Cup

Nelly Korda’s historic LPGA Tour winning streak officially ended at the Cognizant Founders Cup, but one of the hottest rising stars in women’s soccer is back on top: 20-year-old Rose Zhang.

Zhang beat Madelene Sagstrom in a two-horse back-and-forth on Sunday at Upper Montclair Country Club in New Jersey. Starting the day with a shot lead, Zhang came back from a three-shot deficit after Sagstrom carded a 3-under 33 on the front nine. According to Athleticism Justin Ray, statistics contributor Zhang had a nine percent winning probability on the 14th hole at the Tillinghast course.

But the Stanford product — still enrolled as a student and pursuing a degree in communications — defied that figure, making four birdies in his final five holes to win by two.

Zhang holed a 10-foot birdie putt in the final to blank Sagstrom with a bogey-free 66, earning her second LPGA victory. The dramatic finale comes just before the anniversary of Zhang’s first LPGA victory at the Mizuho Americas Open, where she entered the winner’s circle in her tour debut. Since that victory, Zhang has finished in the top 10 six times, but has struggled to find herself at the top of the rankings as she struggles with adjustments to her professional life. On Sunday, she found her winning rhythm.

“I’m still shaking right now,” Zhang said. “I don’t think I ever gave up. I always knew I had something in me to train and enjoy the weather.

Known as one of the most dominant players in the history of women’s amateur golf, Zhang once again demonstrated why she will be a force in the professional game for years to come. And she did it in front of the founders of the LPGA, including pioneers Beth Daniel and Pat Bradley, to whom the tournament is dedicated.

“I don’t think Beth and Pat get enough credit for what they’ve done for the game, for the LPGA. … It’s honestly an honor to be able to play in front of them, let alone win,” Zhang said. “I’m so grateful that they are there to support all the players. Everything they do does not go unnoticed.

Zhang has fought with Sagstrom before. The two faced each other twice at last year’s Solheim Cup in Andalusia, Spain, in both fourballs and foursomes.

“It was almost like match play,” Zhang said. “Yesterday I was telling my dad in the car that I played against her in the Solheim Cup last year. I knew she was a solid player, no matter what anyone else said. I know she can rise to the occasion with no problem, so I really had to stay patient and find it in myself to do it.

With Zhang at the top, Korda’s incredible LPGA winning streak was snapped. After tying Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam as the only players to win five tournaments in five starts, Korda would break the record with a victory at the Founders Cup. The world number one found himself tied for seventh place, shooting rounds of 69-66-73-73 for a tournament total of 7 under par. Zhang and Sagstrom separated themselves from the pack this weekend, creating a gap of more than 10 shots between second and third place.

The LPGA continues its swing in New Jersey next week at Liberty National – the site of Zhang’s first victory – and Korda will look to reclaim her place at the top. But Zhang’s momentum will create an exciting story throughout the rest of the season, regardless of the outcome.

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(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)