Ruoning Yin delivered a dramatic finish on the final hole of the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship, sinking a chip shot that vaulted her into a one‑stroke lead heading into the tournament’s concluding round. The decisive putt came from just off the 18th green, adding to a 20‑foot birdie she had already secured on the par‑three 16th. Yin closed the day with a four‑under‑par 68, bringing her total to 12 under par at TPC Boston.
The five‑time LPGA winner now enjoys a narrow advantage over South Korea’s Sei Young Kim and Hyo Joo Kim, while Somi Lee trails by three strokes, joined by American competitor Jenny Bae. Yin reflected on her performance, saying, “My swing feels solid, my putting is clicking, and every facet of my game is clicking. I’m just going to stick to my game plan and won’t shy away from taking aggressive shots when the moment calls for 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’s trio—Lauren Coughlin, Allisen Corpuz and Lindy Duncan—enter the last day sitting at seven under par, each hoping to carry momentum into the international showdown. Mid‑tournament leader Miyu Yamashita slipped back after posting a 75, a six‑stroke drop that contrasted sharply with her nine‑stroke victory in Canada the previous Sunday. Meanwhile, England’s highest‑ranked representative, Lottie Woad, sits five under after a solid 70 in the third round.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda is tied for 49th following her third consecutive 72, just one shot behind Charley Hull.
European captain Anna Nordqvist, who is about to retire from the LPGA Tour, finds herself one over par in what will be her final appearance on the circuit. In related news, the KPMG Women’s Irish Open sees South African Casandra Alexander taking a three‑stroke lead into the final round after a resilient performance at The K Club.
Alexander posted a three‑under‑par 69 on a rain‑soaked day, a round that was briefly interrupted by a 45‑minute weather delay. Her score moved her to 18 under par, positioning her for a possible wire‑to‑wire victory.
Ranked 38th globally, Alexander has finished as runner‑up on five occasions this season. She now has her sights set on a second Ladies European Tour title, with Russian‑born Sara Kouskova emerging as her closest challenger after recording a flawless, bogey‑free 67. Alexander described the conditions: “It was a slower day out there, and the rain made things tricky both on and off the course. I had a couple of lip‑outs, but overall it was a good round.
I’m still on top heading into Sunday, so I have no complaints.” Swedish rookie Kajsa Arwefjall matched the tournament’s round‑of‑the‑week performance by carding a nine‑under‑par 63, lifting her to fourth place at 13 under. Her compatriots Corinne Viden and Louise Rydqvist also remain in contention. Leona Maguire, playing on home soil, duplicated Arwefjall’s 63, propelling her into a tie for sixth place.
Maguire commented on her round: “I sensed there was a low‑scoring opportunity out there. I didn’t necessarily play better than yesterday; I just managed to sink a few more putts and hit the ball a touch closer. I still feel I left a couple of putts on the table, but it was a pleasant moving day.” The final rounds of both the KPMG Women’s Irish Open and the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Sunday.
Golf fans can also explore the latest Sky Sports offers or stream the action without a contract via NOW. Overall, the weekend highlighted a shifting landscape in women’s professional golf. While European hopes dimmed at the FM Championship, individual performances—such as Yin’s clutch chip‑in and Maguire’s steady play—underscored the depth of talent across the tour.
The upcoming Solheim Cup promises to further showcase the rivalry between Europe and the United States, with players from both sides eager to translate their recent form into team success. Meanwhile, the Irish Open continues to provide a platform for emerging stars to challenge established veterans, adding intrigue to the closing stages of the Ladies European Tour season.