Rose Zhang returns to the spotlight, is she ready to challenge Korda?

Nelly Korda was making headlines. She had won five tournaments in a row and became the first golfer since Tiger Woods to attend the Met Gala a week ago. She looked set to claim her sixth consecutive victory at the Cognizant Founders Cup. This was before Rose Zhang dominated the tournament and regained her former glory.

Zhang shot a final round of 66 to finish the tournament at 24 under par. It was a new 72-hole tournament record for the course. This is Zhang’s second LPGA Tour victory since turning professional last season. She won the Mizuho Americas Open in her first tournament as a professional last year. She became the first player to achieve this feat since 1951.

She has two top-10 finishes at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and the T-Mobile Match Play. However, she was banned from the Chevron Championship and the Ford Championship, two tournaments that Korda had won.

In 2023, in addition to his victory, Zhang has four top-10 finishes, including a tie for 3rd place at the Maybank Championship. Many consider her the favorite to become the No. 1 player this season. That was before Korda cried.

After her victory, Zhang commented on her victory and the position she is in by stating, “I had to climb the ladder. Coming here, it’s clear that everyone is made up of incredible players with incredible resumes. I think to even be able to get a win, get two, I’m just very lucky. »

This weekend, Zhang chose to withdraw from the Mizuho Americas Open after just three holes in the first round. It was announced that she had withdrawn due to illness. She and Korda are scheduled to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open in late May. Look for these two to have a rivalry this year and beyond.