Ruoning Yin clinched a dramatic victory on the final hole of the LPGA Tour's FM Championship, delivering a chip‑in that vaulted her into a one‑stroke lead heading into the tournament's concluding round. The dramatic finish came in Boston, where European hopes for the title began to wane.
Yin executed a precise chip from just off the 18th green, sinking the ball after an earlier 20‑foot birdie on the par‑three 16th. Her round of four‑under 68 lifted her total to 12 under par at TPC Boston, positioning her atop the leaderboard.
The five‑time LPGA winner now holds a narrow advantage over South Korean teammates Sei Young Kim and Hyo Joo Kim, while Somi Lee trails by three strokes, joined by American contender Jenny Bae. "My swing feels solid, my putting is clicking, and every facet of my game is clicking," Yin said after the round. "I’m just going to stick to my game plan.
When the moment calls for aggression, I won’t shy away from it." This event marks the final LPGA tournament before the Solheim Cup, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from September 11‑13. Team USA members Lauren Coughlin, Allisen Corpuz and Lindy Duncan enter the final day at seven under par, eager to build momentum for the upcoming international showdown. Mid‑tournament leader Miyu Yamashita fell back to six strokes behind after posting a 75, a surprising dip following her nine‑stroke triumph in Canada the previous Sunday.
Meanwhile, England's top‑ranked representative Lottie Woad sits at five under after a steady third‑round 70. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who has been a consistent presence at the top of the tour, tied for 49th after recording her third consecutive 72‑stroke round, just a shot shy of Charley Hull.
European captain Anna Nordqvist, who is preparing for retirement from the LPGA Tour, stands at one over par in what will be her final appearance on the circuit. Beyond the FM Championship, Sky Sports also offers streaming options with no contract required, allowing fans to follow the latest LPGA headlines, video highlights, and real‑time leaderboards.
In parallel news, South African golfer Casandra Alexander seized a three‑stroke lead heading into the final round of the KPMG Women's Irish Open, after a strong performance from home‑grown talent Leona Maguire. Alexander posted a three‑under 69 on a rainy day at The K Club, where play was interrupted for 45 minutes due to adverse weather conditions. The score moved her to 18 under par, putting her within striking distance of a wire‑to‑wire victory. Currently ranked 38th in the world, Alexander has finished as runner‑up five times this season.
She now has her sights set on securing a second Ladies European Tour title, with Russian contender Sara Kouskova emerging as her nearest challenger after posting a flawless, bogey‑free 67. "It was a slower day out there," Alexander reflected. "The rain made things tough both on the course and off it.
I had a couple of lip‑outs, but overall it was a solid round. I’m still leading heading into Sunday, so I have no complaints." Sweden's Kajsa Arwefjall matched the tournament's round‑of‑the‑week score with an impressive nine‑under 63, boosting her to fourth place at 13 under par, ahead of fellow Swedes Corinne Viden and Louise Rydqvist. Leona Maguire also recorded a 63, propelling her into a shared sixth‑place position. "I knew there was a low score out there," Maguire said.
"I didn’t necessarily play better than yesterday, but I made a few more putts and hit the ball just a touch closer. I still felt I left a couple of chances on the table, but it was a pleasant moving day." Both the final rounds of the KPMG Women's Irish Open and the LPGA Tour's FM Championship will be broadcast live on Sunday via Sky Sports. Viewers can also explore the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract through the NOW platform, ensuring fans have flexible options to follow the excitement of women's professional golf. Overall, the weekend showcased a blend of high‑stakes drama and emerging talent.
While European players saw their chances at the FM Championship diminish, individual performances—such as Yin's clutch chip‑in and Maguire's steady play in Ireland—highlighted the depth and competitiveness of the women's game. The upcoming Solheim Cup will further test these athletes, as they transition from individual pursuits to the team dynamic that defines the prestigious biennial event.