Rose Zhang rallies to win Founders Cup for second LPGA title
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Rose Zhang celebrates her victory at the Cognizant Founders Cup on May 12.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW JERSEY – American golfer Rose Zhang birdied a scintillating four of her last five holes to overtake Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom and win her second LPGA title at the Founders Cup in New Jersey on May 12.
The 20-year-old posted a six-under 66 in her final round to reach 24-under 264 at Upper Montclair Country Club, two better than Sagstrom, who carded a 69 on May 12. The pair ran away from the pack on the weekend, as Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels (71) was a distant third at nine under.
Her triumph ended Nelly Korda’s personal five-tournament winning streak. The American world No. 1 was trying to become the first golfer to win in six consecutive starts on the LPGA Tour, but she posted 73 for the second straight day and tied for seventh at seven under.
“I’m still shaking right now. I think I never gave up. I always knew I had something in me to just grind it out, enjoy the time against an extremely solid player,” Zhang said.
“She was basically hitting every single shot next to the hole and making putts. So I had to prepare myself for the toughest challenge. But it’s crazy that this happened.”
Sagstrom began the day with a one-shot lead and recovered from an opening bogey by birdying four of her next seven holes. Zhang went only two under on the front nine, and when Sagstrom added a birdie at No. 12 to Zhang’s par, the Swede led by three.
But Sagstrom would not birdie again, playing her final six holes in one over.
World No. 6 Zhang made a four at the par-five 14th, then stuck her tee shot at the par-three 15th a few feet from the pin to set up another birdie.
After Sagstrom bogeyed the 16th to fall into a tie for the lead, Zhang took advantage and finished birdie-birdie.
“It almost felt like matchplay,” said Zhang, who won on her professional debut 11 months ago in nearby Jersey City.
“I was telling my dad in the car (Saturday) that I played her at Solheim Cup last year and I knew she was a solid player. No matter what anyone else says, I know she can rise to the occasion no problem. So I had to really stay patient and find it in me to get it done.”
Sagstrom, ranked No. 62 in the world, was also looking for her second career LPGA victory.
“Just being in this position, this is what we all trying to do. We’re trying to feel these nerves. I was nervous today. I chunked a chip on 1. Just pure nerves,” the 31-year-old said.
“You’re not going to learn by not being here. And I mean, I played unbelievable golf this week. We’re the only two that’s been really low. I have to look at the positive... My time will come.”
Korda was in the mix after the first two rounds, trailing 36-hole co-leaders Zhang and Sagstrom by only four.
But, after an up-and-down third round, the American managed just two bogeys and a birdie amid 15 pars on the final day.
Her five-tournament winning streak tied Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam as the longest in LPGA history.
“Hasn’t even sunk in. Probably maybe now or maybe in like 10, 15 years it’ll sink in. Hopefully someone beats (the record) one day,” the 25-year-old said.
“But just to do that with all the competition out here is super, super rewarding with how much work that I’ve put in.
“So I think to get a streak like that in any sport in general is amazing with the amount of talent that I feel like every athlete has in their sport.” REUTERS
