Zhang stuns Sagstrom to win the Founders Cup

NEW YORK:

Rose Zhang produced a sensational late rally to overtake Madelene Sagstrom and claim her second professional title with victory at the LPGA Founders Cup in New Jersey on Sunday.

The 20-year-old from California birdied four of her final five holes to card a six-under par 66 to finish at 24-under, two shots clear of Sweden’s Sagstrom.

In cool, overcast conditions at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, leader Sagstrom looked to be cruising to victory after rolling in her fifth birdie of the day at 12 to go three shots clear.

Sagstrom maintained that hefty three-shot cushion after striking out 13 along with Zhang, who gave no clue of the fireworks to come.

Zhang birdied a shot at the par-five 14th, then got to one after a great tee shot set up a birdie opportunity at the opening 15th, which she converted.

With the pressure building, Sagstrom then cracked the 16th, hitting under a chip on the green that left her with a long par putt that missed to card a bogey five.

That left Zhang as co-captain and the youngster duly seized her opportunity.

Another dazzling tee shot on the par-three 17th left her with a three-putt for birdie, which she rolled to make one shot clear, then sealed victory on 18 with a lackluster birdie from 10 feet.

“I’m still shaking right now, but I think I never gave up,” Zhang said afterward.

“I always knew I had something in me to clear it up and enjoy the time against an extremely solid player.

“He was basically hitting every shot by the hole and making putts. So I had to prepare myself for the toughest challenge. But it’s crazy that this happened.”

Sagstrom, 31, meanwhile, was left fighting back tears after seeing her second LPGA Tour win ripped from her grasp in agonizing fashion.

“It’s golf, she played fantastic. I was playing well and I thought I was hitting the ball pretty well. I hit some decent shots, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” Sagstrom said after her closing 69.

Sagstrom, who had a one-shot lead after Saturday’s third round, admitted she was affected by nerves early Sunday when she bogeyed the first.

“It was pure nerves,” he said. “I played incredible golf this week so I have to look at the positives. It sucks and it hurts a little bit. But my time will come.”

Sagstrom and Zhang essentially had a post-race duel away from the field in the third lap. Zhang had started the day 10 shots clear of her nearest challenger.

That large advantage continued into Sunday’s final round, with Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels finishing third at nine under, 15 shots off the lead.

Chinese duo Yin Ruoning and Lin Xiyi finished tied for fourth along with Taiwan’s Chien Pei-yun at eight under.

World number one Nelly Korda’s bid for a record sixth consecutive title ended with a one-over 73 that left her tied for seventh with four other players.