LPGA loses Cognizant as Founders Cup sponsor

Field Level Media|published: Mon 21st October, 18:42 2024

Sep 13, 2024; Gainesville, Virginia, USA; Rose Zhang of Team USA plays a shot from the second tee during Foursomes matches against Team Europe during the first round of the Solheim Cup 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

The Founders Cup, an LPGA tournament that honors the 13 founders of the women's tour, needs a new title sponsor.

Cognizant is no longer serving as the Founders Cup's title sponsor, Golfweek reported Monday.

When the technology services company began sponsoring men's and women's golf in 2021, it helped double the purse to $3 million.

A post on Cognizant's website claims that its involvement in the Founders Cup "has raised $4 million for the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program," which expands access to the game of golf for young women.

But a statement from the LPGA to Golfweek confirmed that Cognizant won't be moving forward with the event. The tour said it plans to release news about the 2025 season during the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship next month.

Golfweek reported that the Founders Cup's time in New Jersey could be in jeopardy, as one option the LPGA is considering is to move the tournament to Florida. The tournament was played in Arizona from 2011-19, then moved to different sites in New Jersey beginning in 2021.

Rose Zhang is the defending champion of the event, shooting 24 under par at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J.

--Field Level Media