Korda Fires 66, Maintains Pursuit for Record 6th Consecutive LPGA Tour Victory

Nelly Korda remains steadfast in her quest to secure a historic sixth consecutive LPGA Tour triumph at the Cognizant Founders Cup, refusing to let the competition pull away. Despite starting her second round with a significant 10-stroke deficit, Korda delivered a flawless performance, carding a bogey-free 6-under 66 amidst chilly and damp conditions. Her stellar round propelled her into third place, just four shots behind leaders Rose Zhang and Madelene Sagstrom, with 36 holes remaining in the tournament.

Korda's impressive score equaled the day's best, a feat achieved by Sagstrom shortly before her own stellar performance. Zhang, who set a tournament record with a scintillating 63 on Thursday, followed up with a solid 68 during the morning session.

The 20-year-old Zhang and 31-year-old Sagstrom, both with one LPGA Tour victory to their names, currently sit tied at 13-under 131 at the Upper Montclair Country Club. Meanwhile, Korda, aged 25, has embarked on an unprecedented streak of five consecutive victories, matching the legendary accomplishments of Hall of Famers Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam.

Reflecting on her stellar round, Korda expressed satisfaction with her putting performance, which she credited for her success. She acknowledged the competitive landscape but remained optimistic about her prospects in the upcoming rounds.

Zhang, coming off a record-tying first round, emphasized the importance of composure and continuous learning, regardless of the tournament outcome. Despite her professional debut victory last year, she highlighted the ongoing learning curve in her journey.

Sagstrom, a familiar face at the Founders Cup, shared her excitement about contending against top competitors and the opportunity to showcase her skills on the leaderboard. Yan Liu of China trailed in fourth place at 138, followed closely by Mel Reid of England at minus 5. Notable contenders in the field included Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee, and Hannah Green, each vying for their own share of success.

With the competition intensifying, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Cognizant Founders Cup, as players continue to battle for supremacy on the LPGA Tour.