Ruoning Yin delivered a dramatic finish on the final hole, sinking a chip shot that vaulted her into a one‑stroke lead heading into the last round of the LPGA Tour's FM Championship, effectively dimming Europe's chances of capturing the title in Boston. Yin's chip from just off the 18th‑green green was the culmination of a strong finish that also featured a 20‑foot birdie on the par‑three 16th, allowing her to post a four‑under 68 for the round and bring her total to 12 under par at TPC Boston.
The five‑time winner now holds a narrow advantage over South Korea's Sei Young Kim and Hyo Joo Kim, while Somi Lee trails by three strokes along with American competitor Jenny Bae. "My swing feels solid, my putting is clicking and every facet of my game is clicking right now," Yin explained.
"I'm just going to stick to my own game plan and I won’t shy away from taking aggressive shots when the moment calls for it." This tournament marks the final LPGA event 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 all entered the final day at seven under par, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the upcoming international showdown. Mid‑tournament leader Miyu Yamashita slipped back six strokes after a 75, a surprising drop considering she had just secured a nine‑stroke victory in Canada the previous Sunday.
England's Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked British player in the field, sat at five under after a solid third‑round 70. Top‑ranked American Nelly Korda was tied for 49th following a third consecutive 72, just a shot behind Charley Hull. European captain Anna Nordqvist, playing her final event before retiring from the LPGA Tour, was one over par. Beyond the FM Championship, the KPMG Women's Irish Open provided another storyline.
South African Casandra Alexander seized a three‑stroke lead heading into the final round after a resilient performance at The K Club, where intermittent rain forced a 45‑minute suspension of play. Alexander posted a three‑under 69, moving to 18 under overall and edging closer to a wire‑to‑wire victory. Ranked 38th in the world, Alexander has finished runner‑up five times this season, but this week she set her sights on a second Ladies European Tour title. Her nearest challenger, Sara Kouskova, posted a bogey‑free 67, keeping the competition tight.
"It was a slower day out there because of the weather," Alexander said. "The rain made things difficult both on and off the course.
I had a couple of lip‑outs, but overall it was a good round. I'm still in front heading into Sunday, so I have no complaints." Swedish rookie Kajsa Arwefjall matched the tournament's round‑of‑the‑week with a spectacular nine‑under 63, lifting her to fourth place at 13 under. Fellow Swedes Corinne Viden and Louise Rydqvist trailed close behind. Leona Maguire also carded a 63, tying Arwefjall and propelling herself into a share of sixth place.
Maguire reflected on her performance: "I knew the course was yielding low scores today. I didn't necessarily play better than yesterday; I just managed to sink a few more putts and hit my approach shots a touch closer.
I still felt I left a couple of opportunities on the table, but it was a pleasant moving day overall." The final rounds of both the KPMG Women's Irish Open and the FM Championship will be shown live on Sky Sports on Sunday, offering fans the chance to watch the climactic battles unfold. Viewers can also explore the latest Sky Sports offers or opt for contract‑free streaming via NOW, ensuring flexible access to the action.
Overall, the weekend highlighted the unpredictable nature of professional golf: a dramatic chip‑in in Boston that shifted the momentum of the LPGA tour, and a rain‑interrupted yet fiercely contested Irish Open where emerging talents like Alexander and Maguire demonstrated poise under pressure. As the Solheim Cup approaches, the performances in Boston and Ireland will likely influence team selections and confidence levels, setting the stage for a compelling transatlantic showdown later this year.