Good start for Ciganda (68), better than Nelly Korda, in the Founders Cup

Nelly Korda has left extra work to earn his sixth consecutive LPGA Tour titleespecially the way of his countrymen Rose Zhang is playing Korda shot a three-under 69, a relatively error-free card in the first round of the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey. One more blow the Navarrese Carlota Ciganda.

Zhang, 20, tied the tournament record with a 63 in the afternoon session to lead the way. In his winning streak, Korda has never trailed by more than eight strokes after the opening round. Zhang also has to worry after needing just 25 putts in the best professional round of his career. The two-time NCAA champion from Stanford won in New Jersey in his professional debut at the Mizuho Americas Open about a year ago. He hasn’t won since.

Zhang has a two-shot lead over Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom, who sets the tournament record in 2022. Ireland’s Leona Maguire, Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou and South Korea’s Narin An are three shots behind and one ahead of Lindsey Weaver-Wright and English Mel Reid. At the age of 68 he already knew Ciganda.

Ulzama’s broke into the top 10 after working the round at the Upper Montclair Country Club course in NJ. Five birdies, one eagle and three bogeys. A solid day’s golf taking advantage of the birdie opportunities he had very well.

Korda, who fulfilled a dream on Monday by walking the Met Gala red carpet, played alongside defending champion Jin Young Ko (72) and 2022 winner Minjee Lee (70). Hannah Green, who has won the circuit twice this year, including the JM Eagle Los Angeles Championship in the circuit’s final round, is also at 69 with Lydia Ko, who needs one more win to enter the Hall of Fame.

Classification on the first day (par 72):

63 Rose Zhang (USA)

65 Madelene Sagstrom (Sue)

66 Stephanie Kyriacou (Australia), Leona Maguire (Ireland), An Na-rin (Korea)

67 Mel Reid (England), Lindsey Weaver (USA)

68 Carlota Ciganda (Spain)

…

69 Nelly Korda (USA)

75 Azahara Muñoz (Spain)