Final Day of Founders Cup: 5-Under Par "3rd Win of the Season and 10th Career Victory," Mason 2nd, 'Number 1' Korda Tied 19th and Falters
Ko Jin-young is cheering immediately after winning the Founders Cup. West Caldwell, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz
[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] It is a decisive victory for Ko Jin-young (26), ranked No. 2 in the world.
On the 11th (Korean time), at the West Caldwell Mountain Ridge Golf Club (par 71, 6,656 yards) in New Jersey, USA, Ko Jin-young added 5 under par on the final day of the LPGA Tour Cognizant Founders Cup (total prize money $3 million) to secure a 4-stroke victory (18 under par 266). This marks her third win of the 2021 season following the VOA Classic in July and the Cambia Portland Classic in September, her 10th career win, and a prize money of a whopping $450,000 (about 530 million KRW).
Ko Jin-young started with a 4-stroke lead and recorded six birdies and one bogey. She had a strong start with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 6 and 8, and pulled away from her pursuers with two pairs of consecutive birdies on holes 12-13 and 15-16 in the back nine. Her average driving distance was 251.00 yards with a fairway hit rate of 71.43% and a greens in regulation rate of 77.78%. Particularly notable were her 27 'stingy putts' on the day. The bogey on the final 17th hole (par 4) did not affect her victory.
It is interesting that Ko Jin-young was the champion in 2019. The tournament was canceled last year due to COVID-19, so she successfully defended her title and achieved a rare 'wire-to-wire' victory by leading from the first day. Attention should be paid to her streak of 14 consecutive rounds scoring in the 60s. Starting with a 69 in all four rounds of the Evian Championship in July, followed by the Portland Classic, Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, ShopRite LPGA Classic (rounds 1-3), and this tournament (rounds 1-4) in September and October. This ties the record of 14 rounds set by golf legend Annika S?renstam (Sweden) in 2005.
Karoline Madsen (Germany) rose to second place (14 under par 270) with a daily best 7 under par, and Korea’s Lee Jeong-eun6 (25, Daebang Construction) secured a tie for fourth place (10 under par 274). Kim A-rim (26) and Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal) tied for sixth place (9 under par 275), while Kim Se-young (28, Mediheal) and Shin Ji-eun (29) tied for 13th place (6 under par 278). World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA) struggled with 2 over par and remained tied for 19th place (5 under par 279).
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