American superstar Nelly Korda, aiming for her record sixth consecutive LPGA Tour victory, headlines the field
CLIFTON, N.J. (May 1, 2024) – The field is set for the 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup, to be held May 9-12 at Upper Montclair Country Club. A who’s-who of the world’s best golfers will head to Clifton, N.J., next week to tee it up in the 11th event of the 2024 LPGA Tour season. The five days at Upper Montclair will present fans with many opportunities to watch these world-class athletes up close and personal, while also enjoying one of the most family-friendly experiences in professional sports.
This is the 13th edition of the Cognizant Founders Cup and the third held at Upper Montclair Country Club. The event celebrates the 13 Founding Members of the LPGA Tour, who created the Association in 1950. The list of past Cognizant Founders Cup champions is a who’s-who of the best talent on the LPGA Tour – winners represent 30 major victories and 142 LPGA Tour victories, and every Cognizant Founders Cup winner is a major champion.
Who to watch…
The 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup field is headlined by Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda. The American superstar will take to Upper Montclair on a streak of five consecutive LPGA Tour victories. With her victory two weeks ago at The Chevron Championship, the 25-year-old became just the third player since 1978 to win five straight tournaments on the LPGA Tour, joining Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam, and the first player since herself in 2021 to win a major championship and the event before.
Korda will be joined in the Cognizant Founders Cup field by the other four winners this season: Hannah Green, who took wins at the HSBC Women’s World Championship and at last week’s JM Eagle LA Championship; Lydia Ko, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions winner who will earn induction in the LPGA Hall of Fame with her next victory; Bailey Tardy, who became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the Blue Bay LPGA; and Patty Tavatanakit, who won the Honda LPGA Thailand for her first victory since 2021. The field also includes defending and three-time Founders champion Jin Young Ko, as well as past champions Sei Young Kim, Minjee Lee, Stacy Lewis and Anna Nordqvist.
The field includes 29 major-championship winners, representing 41 major titles. There are also 39 Olympians in the field, including all three medalists from the Tokyo Games – Nelly Korda (gold), Mone Inami (silver) and Lydia Ko (bronze).
Three spots remain in the Cognizant Founders Cup field, with two filled by the top two finishers at Monday’s Local Qualifying Round. Finally, THE JOHN SHIPPEN Cognizant Cup, an 18-hole stroke play competition for Black women golfers, will be held concurrently with the Local Qualifying Round. The winner of the event will be awarded a sponsor exemption into the Cognizant Founders Cup, marking a continuation of Cognizant’s commitment to supporting equal opportunity and diversity in the game of golf and beyond.
What to do…
The Fan Zone, located by the putting green and main clubhouse, will host several fun activities for the whole family.
Fans can put their golf skills to the test at the Long Putt Challenge presented by Rhone, taking a shot at a hole-in-one at the 65-foot putting experience surrounded by trees and other obstacles. Go long to earn bragging rights, and a chance to win some awesome prizes, including a $500 LPGA Pro Shop gift card. After that, fans can head over to the Pro Shop to pick up the latest LPGA gear, including hats, polos, mid-layers, accessories and more. Fans can also browse the full selection of LPGA merchandise by visiting LPGAProShop.com.
By the 16th green, fans can commemorate their visit to the Cognizant Founders Cup with a photo at the Fan Photo Booth. Snap a pic with friends and family, then tag the LPGA’s social channels and use the hashtag #FoundersCup for the chance to appear on the official tournament feeds (@LPGA, Facebook and X; @lpga_tour, Instagram and TikTok).
The driving range will host several LPGA*USGA Girls Golf activations throughout the week. Starting Wednesday, the Girls Golf booth will provide juniors with opportunities to learn about the game of golf through the Five E’s of Girls Golf. The Girls Golf team will also offer clinics on Saturday (9 a.m. to Noon; 2-4:30 p.m.) and Sunday (2-3 p.m.), providing juniors with a hands-on teaching experience.
Fans of all ages can sharpen their game at the LPGA Lesson Zone, a unique fan activation that offers free 10-minute lessons from LPGA Teaching Professionals. Located on the driving range, lessons are available to fans of all ages and skill levels.
How to visit…
Tickets are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. Daily general admission tickets are $55, while weekly general admission passes are $150. Pioneer Pavilion hospitality tickets are $190 for daily admission and $570 for weekly access. The Pioneer Pavilion, a fully covered viewing area on the 17th green, includes breakfast and lunch, afternoon snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, select spirits and off-site parking.
To honor those who serve our country in the United States Armed Forces, the LPGA is pleased to offer both current and former members of the U.S. Military and certain guests complimentary grounds tickets regardless of sell-out. Click here for information on military tickets. Additionally, juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. Click here for information on junior tickets.
All spectators will receive complimentary grounds tickets to Wednesday’s practice round, courtesy of the New Jersey Golf Foundation. These tickets are available at SeatGeek.com, with fans encouraged to experience one of the most exciting and family-friendly events in professional sports.