Nelly Korda Opens With 69 in Quest for Sixth Straight LPGA Win

The world No. 1 has only two rounds in the 70s during her historic streak.

Nelly Korda opened with a 3-under 69 at the Cognizant Founders Cup. / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Nelly Korda’s quest for a sixth consecutive LPGA win began Thursday with a round similar to what she’s had throughout her historic run.

The world No. 1 opened with a 3-under 69 at the Cognizant Founders Cup, tied for fourth among the morning starters at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J.

Madeline Sagstrom set the early pace with a 7-under 65. By day's end, Korda's 69 was in a tie for 18th, six shots behind a 63 fired by Rose Zhang.

Korda shot her 12th consecutive round in the 60s, not including a match play title that was her fourth win in the five-tournament win streak. Her last round above 69 was an opening-round 72 on March 21 at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship, which she won in a playoff for her then-second straight victory. 

“Yeah, feels good … overall a solid day,” Korda said after a round with four birdies and one bogey. “Didn't really make too many mistakes, and if I did—this golf course is very, very narrow off the tee—I kind of gave myself a good chance at par.”

Korda made two birdies on her second nine (she started on No. 10) including a birdie at the par-5 9th hole. She birdied three of the four par-5s.  

With a win, the 25-year-old would become the first LPGA player to win six consecutive events. Her major title last month at the Chevron Championship was her fifth straight and tied streaks by Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-05).

“I have not thought about the streak at all, honestly,” Korda said. “I think that's only going to do more harm for me than do good. Big thing for me is taking it a shot at time and being present and in my own bubble. That's what I'm focusing on.

“I'm not trying to think about the outside noise. Would it be amazing? Of course. But it's still so far away and proud of what I've achieved so far.”

Her second round begins at 12:59 p.m. Friday.