Rose Zhang Claims Cognizant Founders Cup In Thrilling Two-Horse Race
Both Zhang and Madelene Sagstrom finished over 12 shots ahead of the field, with the American Solheim Cup star edging out her opponent in a dramatic final day


It's unlikely that you will ever find such a dominant two-horse race in the past few years of professional golf, with the Cognizant Founders Cup producing a thrilling finale between Madelene Sagstrom and Rose Zhang.
However, between the two Solheim Cup stars, it was the American who came out on top, as Zhang birdied four of her last five holes to claim a two shot victory over the Swede, Sagstrom, as the two finished a whopping 15 and 13 strokes clear of the chasing pack.
Going into the final round, it was Sagstrom who led at 19-under, one shot clear of Zhang, with the duo 11 and 10 shots, respectively, ahead of their next competitor at eight-under.
It never seemed likely that the chasing pack would contend and, throughout the early stages of the front nine, both Sagstrom and Zhang would chop-and-change the lead, with neither pulling away.
However, at the tail-end of the front nine, Sagstrom would find birdies at the sixth, eighth and 12th to move three clear with just six remaining. Seemingly heading to a second LPGA Tour title, the Swede was in control but, in typical Zhang style, the 20-year-old found birdies at the 14th and 15th to cut the lead down to just one stroke with three to go!
Sagstrom and Zhang on the 18th
Parring the 16th, Zhang found herself in a share of the lead with Sagstrom, who could only bogey the hole, with the duo all-square heading down the 17th and 18th holes which had produced a range of scores throughout the final round on Sunday.
Playing the par 3 17th, Zhang found a birdie two and, with momentum on her side, she found yet another birdie at the 18th to pick up a two shot win and her first since claiming victory on her professional debut at the Mizuho Americas Open in June 2023.
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Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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