Rose Zhang Makes Late Run to Capture Second LPGA Tour Victory at Cognizant Founders Cup | LPGA

CLIFTON, N.J. — Rose Zhang is back. Nearly a year after shocking the golf world by winning in her first start as a professional on the LPGA Tour, Zhang has once again found victory lane on the biggest stage in women’s golf, playing her final five holes in 4-under to win by two shots over Madelene Sagstrom at Upper Montclair Country Club.

Zhang was one shot behind the Swede to start the final round, and after Sagstrom bogeyed the first hole, the pair were tied at 18-under. But Sagstrom recovered with a birdie on the par-5 2nd hole to get back to 19-under and once again move one ahead of Zhang. Zhang tied the lead with a birdie on the par-4 4th hole and then both players birdied No. 5, sitting in a tie at 20-under with 13 holes to play.

Sagstrom then made birdies on the par-3 6th and par-3 8th holes to get to 22-under, parring the ninth to lead Zhang by two shots with nine holes remaining. The 31-year-old then extended her advantage to three with a birdie on the par-5 12th hole, but Zhang wasn’t about to lie down and quit.

The 20-year-old closed the gap with a one-two punch of birdies on 14 and 15 to get to 22-under overall, and when Sagstrom bogeyed the par-4 16th hole, the duo were all tied up coming down the last two holes. Zhang birdied the par-3 17th hole to pick up another shot on Sagstrom, now sitting one stroke ahead at 23-under with only the tricky par-4 18th hole left to play.

Both Zhang and Sagstrom found the fairway off the tee and hit spectacular approach shots inside 15 feet into the challenging 18th green, with Zhang ultimately having the honor of playing first. Admittedly shaking with nerves, Zhang lined up her winning birdie putt and stroked it confidently, showing no signs of having anything but ice in her veins.

And when the ball tumbled over the edge of the cup, it was a reaction of complete relief from Zhang. She had finally captured her second victory on the LPGA Tour, a win that felt like it had eluded the young superstar for longer than necessary since she became a Rolex First-Time Winner last year in New Jersey.

“Honestly, today has been a roller coaster. I knew it was going to be a grind,” said Zhang, who carded a bogey-free, 6-under 66 in the final round. “I think coming out I had those expectations of today, I really have to find it in me to even play well, let alone win. Madelene has been playing rock-solid golf. She’s been blowing away the field, so I’ve just been trying to keep up.

“Coming down the…