Ruoning Yin delivered a dramatic finish on the final hole of the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship, sinking a chip‑in that vaulted her into a one‑stroke lead heading into the tournament’s concluding round. The decisive shot came from just off the 18th green, following a 20‑foot birdie putt on the par‑three 16th that helped her close the day with a four‑under 68, leaving her at 12 under par at TPC Boston. 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 along with 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 not shy away from aggressive shots when the moment calls for it.” This event marks the final LPGA stop 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—arrive at the final day sitting at seven under par, ready to contribute to the international showdown.
Mid‑tournament leader Miyu Yamashita fell back to six strokes behind after a 75, despite having secured a nine‑stroke victory in Canada the previous Sunday. England’s highest‑ranked representative, Lottie Woad, sits at five under after posting a 70 in the third round.
Top‑ranked Nelly Korda is tied for 49th following a third consecutive round of 72, just a shot shy of Charley Hull. Meanwhile, European captain Anna Nordqvist, who is set to retire from the LPGA Tour after this event, sits at one over par. In related news, Casandra Alexander will head into the final round of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open with a three‑stroke cushion, after Leona Maguire impressed on her home turf.
Alexander, a South African, recorded a three‑under 69 on a rain‑soaked day at The K Club, where play was paused for 45 minutes due to adverse weather. The round lifted her to 18 under par and placed her on the brink of a wire‑to‑wire victory.
World No. 38 Alexander has finished as runner‑up five times this season, but she now has her sights set on a second Ladies European Tour title. Her nearest challenger, Sara Kouskova, posted a flawless 67, keeping the competition tight.
Alexander commented on the conditions, “It was a slower day out there, the rain made it tough both on and off the course. I had a couple of lip‑outs, but overall it was a good round. I’m still leading heading into Sunday, so I have no complaints.” Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall matched the round‑of‑the‑week performance with a spectacular nine‑under 63, moving her into fourth place at 13 under par, ahead of compatriots Corinne Viden and Louise Rydqvist. Leona Maguire also carded a 63, propelling her into a tie for sixth place.
Maguire explained her steady play, “I knew the course was yielding low scores. I didn’t necessarily play better than yesterday; I just made a few more putts and hit the ball a touch closer.
I still felt I left a couple of shots on the table, but it was a pleasant moving day.” The final rounds of both the KPMG Women’s Irish Open and the FM Championship will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Sunday. Viewers can also explore Sky Sports’ latest subscription offers or stream the action without a contract via NOW. Overall, the FM Championship has highlighted the shifting dynamics in women’s golf as European hopes wane while Asian and American players continue to assert dominance.
Yin’s clutch chip‑in exemplifies the fine margins that separate victory from defeat, and her confidence in an aggressive approach may serve her well as she prepares for the Solheim Cup. Meanwhile, the Irish Open showcases the depth of talent on the Ladies European Tour, with Alexander’s resilience in adverse weather and Maguire’s consistent low‑scoring rounds underscoring the competitive spirit that defines the tour.
As the weekend concludes, fans can anticipate a thrilling culmination of both events, with the potential for new champions to emerge and established stars to solidify their legacies.