For the second consecutive week, the ladies are up in New Jersey for the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club. The Donald Ross design is an absolutely beauty, especially this time of year in the northeast.
Jin Young Ko, the 2019 Founders Cup champion, was off early this morning, and didn’t wait long to storm up the leaderboard. The World No. 2 birdied her first two holes, and would eventually make the turn with a 2-under 33. Then, she stepped on the gas with six birdies in a seven-hole stretch to shoot a bogey-free 30 on her back nine for a day total 8-under 63.
Ko’s putter was red-hot, including pouring in a bomb on the par-3, 16th.
Nelly Korda was also part of the morning wave and got right to work with a birdie at one. After a dropped shot on the fifth, Korda made five birdies in an eight-hole stretch before the streak stalled with a bogey on the par-5 15th. Korda signed for a 4-under, 67, and will enter the second round four back of the solo leader.
From downtown
Jin Young Ko closes out her first round with an 8-under 63! pic.twitter.com/s3YjfBQPmz
— LPGA (@LPGA) October 7, 2021
Sandra Gal was dialed in at Mountain Ridge, firing a bogey-free 5-under 66. The German’s last start came at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship where she missed the cut. Her bounce-back attempt is off to a good start, sitting three shots behind Ko.
Other big names in the mix include Yuka Saso (T-3), Brooke Henderson (T-3), Maria Fassi (T-9), Jessica Korda (T-21), Georgia Hall (T-21), Lizette Salas (T-21), and Minjee Lee (T-21).
Play was suspended Thursday night due to darkness, and will resume Friday morning.
Top shots from the opening round (so far).
Check out some of the top shots from the first round of the @LPGAFounders!
pic.twitter.com/5ndApoZpwX
— LPGA (@LPGA) October 7, 2021