Nelly Korda is going to have some work to do to win a record sixth straight LPGA Tour title, especially the way Rose Zhang is playing.

Korda shot a relatively mistake-free 3-under-par 69 early in the first round of the Cognizant Founders Cup on Thursday and then could only watch as the 20-year-old Zhang tied the tournament record with a 63 in the afternoon to take the lead.

In her winning streak, Korda has never trailed by more than eight strokes after the opening round. The 25-year-old was six back in this one with a slew of players ahead of her heading into the second round at the Upper Montclair Country Club.

Rain is in the forecast the next two days.

“There is still three more days,” said Korda, who had four birdies and a bogey. “You still have a lot of things that you — I know the weather is not supposed to be great and there is just different factors that go into the rest of the tournament. So it’s definitely nice to get a good round in. You know, still a long, long ways away from Sunday.”

Zhang also has to be a concern after needing only 25 putts in posting the best professional round of her career. The two-time NCAA champion from Stanford won New Jersey in her professional debut at the Mizuho Americas Open about a year ago. She has not won since but she played like a champion Thursday, a bogey-free round that included nine birdies.

Zhang had a two-shot lead over Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden, who set the tournament record in 2022. Leona Maguire of Ireland, Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia and Narin An of South Korea were three shots back and one ahead of Lindsey Weaver-Wright and Mel Reid of England.

“It was almost just auto-command kind of golf,” said Zhang, whose has missed two cuts in six starts this year. “I feel like in the last couple weeks it’s been a little bit difficult. I’ve been struggling a little bit with the golf swing and gaining confidence in my preparation.

“But going into this week I kind of let it all go; let the expectations go a little bit more,” she added. “I was able to free myself up a little bit, which was really nice to see some shots go in, especially on the greens. I was able to get some putting momentum in, so it was really nice.”

McIlroy in contention again at Quail Hollow

Rory McIlroy hoped that his victory with Shane Lowry two weeks ago in the Zurich Classic team event would serve as a springboard for the remainder of the season.

He’s off to a good start.

McIlroy positioned himself for a run at a record fourth Wells Fargo Championship title, opening with a 4-under-par 67 that left him three shots behind leader Xander Schauffele.

Collin Morikawa and Alex Noren also shot 67, and Justin Thomas topped the group at 68.

In 2010, McIlroy closed with a 62 at Quail Holow that included six straight 3s on his card to win his first PGA Tour title two days before he was legally able to purchase an alcoholic beverage in North Caro- lina.

The star from Northern Ireland followed that with a seven-shot victory in 2015, shattering the tournament record at 21-under 267 after a course-record 61 in the third round. He added his third title in 2021.

“I’ve always had a great affinity for this place,” McIlroy said. “Playing in front of these fans, I feel like Charlotte has sort of taken me in as one of their own. It’s been a great journey. I’ve celebrated I think 13 of my last 15 birthdays here as well because obviously when the tournament falls.’

The only other player to win the Wells Fargo Championship multiple times is Homa, the 2019 and 2022 champion — the latter coming in Potomac, Maryland. Homa overcame a rough start, bogeying two of his first three holes to shoot 69.