Rose Zhang (-9) is the first very prominent leader of the Cognizant Founders Cup, one of the most special tournaments of the year on the LPGA Tour, where tribute is paid to the pioneers who launched the circuit last century.
Zhang, whose results in recent weeks have not been very consistent in this 2024, with just two top 10s, one in the champions tournament, at the beginning of the year, and another in the match play, has rediscovered her best form this Thursday. Round of 63 strokes, with nine birdies and no bogeys. She did everything right. Brilliant from tee to green and, above all, with a devastating putter.
Zhang has a two-stroke lead over Madelene Sagstrom (-7) and three over Leona Maguire (-6), Narin An (-6) and Stephanie Kyriacou (-6). You can see that the Founders Cup has started with several very powerful names at the top of the leaderboard. In that sense, the one who has fallen a bit behind, although with plenty of room for manoeuvre is Nelly Korda (-3). The undisputed World Number One will be forced to make an extra effort in the three remaining days if she wants to score the sixth consecutive victory on the LPGA Tour, a mark that would be absolutely alien.
One stroke better than Korda is Carlota Ciganda (-4). The Navarrese has made it into the top 10 after a fierce boxing match with the Upper Montclair Country Club course in New Jersey. There have been five birdies, one eagle and three bogeys. A demonstration that she can go very low on this course. Birdies are falling out of her pockets and if she can mitigate the mistakes, she will be fighting for the title on Sunday. It has been a solid day of golf and, above all, she has taken very good advantage of the opportunities she has had.
The flip side of the coin in Spanish terms has been Azahara Muñoz (+3). The Malagueña will have to make a comeback to make the cut. At least, she finished with a better taste in her mouth than she started. She made three bogeys in the first four holes and another double bogey in her sixth of the day for a +4 partial. She even got to +5 after her tenth hole, but managed to finish with two birdies to give herself a chance. She will have to play very well this Friday to make it into the weekend, but at least she has managed to give herself a chance.
