European Solheim Cup hopefuls Lottie Woad and Charley Hull found themselves six strokes behind the leaders at the LPGA Tour's FM Championship, where their American counterpart Allisen Corpuz shared the top spot heading into the weekend. The English pair were tied for 27th place, both sitting three under par after the first round.
Woad, after a promising start, fell back with a one‑over 73, while Hull recorded a solid two‑under 70. Corpuz, however, posted a blistering 67 to climb to a share of the lead alongside Japan's rising star Miyu Yamashita and South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim, each sitting at nine under. Yamashita, fresh from a remarkable victory at the CPKC Women’s Open where she tied the tour’s 72‑hole scoring record, continued her strong form with a two‑under second round that kept her at nine under for the tournament. Corpuz and Kim both posted five‑under rounds on Friday, tightening the competition.
Trailing the leaders by a single stroke were Morgane Metraux and Ruoning Yin, both carding 65s, and Jenny Bae, who posted a 68. Nataliya Guseva and Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen were tied at seven under after posting scores of 68 and 72 respectively. First‑round leader Sei Young Kim, after an opening 64, stumbled with a 74 on day two, dropping three strokes behind the new leaders. Beyond the FM Championship, the weekend featured a slew of other noteworthy performances across the LPGA Tour.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who had already secured her spot in the upcoming Solheim Cup in the Netherlands, shot a steady 72 to make the cut exactly on the number in what turned out to be her final event before the team competition.
Her consistency underscores why she remains a top contender for the European side. European captain Anna Nordqvist also made headlines, advancing to the weekend in what will be her final professional appearance before retirement.
The Swedish veteran rebounded from an opening 74 with an impressive 68, demonstrating the poise and experience that have defined her career. In Ireland, South African golfer Casandra Alexander extended her lead at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open with a second‑round 66, moving her to an astonishing 15 under par for the tournament.
Alexander opened with a nine‑under 63 on Thursday, setting a new record for the Palmer South Course at The K Club. Her second round featured an aggressive start—eagle, birdie, birdie on holes 10, 11, and 12—followed by a steady 32‑stroke front nine.
A second eagle on the third hole was offset by a bogey on the sixth and a birdie on the seventh, but she still finished five strokes clear of her nearest rivals, Sara Kouskova (66) and Brianna Navarrosa (65). Reflecting on her round, Alexander admitted, “It wasn’t as tidy as yesterday. I left some putts short and had a few awkward wedge shots, but overall it was a good day. Following a record‑breaking round is always tough, yet the two eagles helped me stay comfortable.
Shooting six under makes me very happy.” Other notable performances included Ireland’s Canice Screene, who rose to a tied‑eighth position after birdying seven of her final twelve holes to post a 67. Leona Maguire, also from Ireland, held a tied‑26th spot after posting a second consecutive one‑under‑par 71. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage of both the KPMG Women’s Irish Open and the FM Championship scheduled throughout the weekend.
The Sky Sports Golf channel will broadcast from Ireland starting Saturday at 2:30 pm, and viewers can also stream the events without a contract via NOW. For those looking to experience the game firsthand, the UK and Ireland offer over 1,700 courses where players can book a round at competitive prices.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a newcomer, the region’s diverse courses provide a perfect backdrop for practicing your swing and enjoying the sport. In summary, the FM Championship has set the stage for an exciting Solheim Cup showdown, with European players like Hull and Woad chasing the fast‑moving American leader Corpuz. Meanwhile, the KPMG Women’s Irish Open showcases the dominance of Casandra Alexander and highlights the depth of talent across the LPGA Tour. As the weekend unfolds, golf enthusiasts can expect thrilling competition, strategic play, and the continued rise of new talents on the global stage.