Ruoning Yin produced a final-hole chip-in to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship, as European title hopes faded in Boston.
Yin holed her chip from just off the 18th green, having also posted a 20-foot birdie on the par-three 16th, to close a four-under 68 and move to 12 under at TPC Boston.
The five-time LPGA Tour winner holds a slender lead over South Korean duo Sei Young Kim and Hyo Joo Kim, with Somi Lee a further three strokes back alongside American Jenny Bae.
“I think my swing is in a good spot, my putting and every part of my game I think are pretty good,” Yin said. “I’m just going to play my game. I’m not going to play safe when it’s time to go aggressive.”
This week’s event is the last LPGA Tour tournament before the Solheim Cup, live on Sky Sports from September 11-13, with Team USA trio Lauren Coughlin, Allisen Corpuz and Lindy Duncan all heading into the final day on seven under.
Halfway co-leader Miyu Yamashita dropped six strokes back with a 75, having recorded a nine-stroke victory in Canada on Sunday, while Lottie Woad – the highest-ranked Englishwoman in the field – is on five under after a third-round 70.
Lottie Woad will make her Solheim Cup debut for Team Europe
Top-ranked Nelly Korda tied-49th after her third straight 72, a shot behind Charley Hull, while European captain Anna Nordqvist sits on one over in her final event before LPGA Tour retirement.
Maguire makes move as Alexander stays ahead in Ireland
Casandra Alexander will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, after Leona Maguire impressed on home soil.
Alexander posted a three-under 69 in another rainy day at The K Club, where play was halted for 45 minutes due to adverse weather, moving the South African to 18 under and a step closer to a wire-to-wire win.
The world No 38 has five runner-up finishes this season but now has eyes on a second Ladies European Tour title, with Sara Kouskova her closest challenger after a bogey-free 67.
Casandra Alexander chases her first win since last year’s Tipsport Czech Ladies Open
“It was a bit of a slow day out there,” said Alexander. “It was tough on and off the golf course with the rain. I had a couple lip-outs, but it was still good. I’m still leading the golf tournament heading into Sunday, so no complaints.”
Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall matched the round of the week with a nine-under 63, lifting her to fourth on 13 under ahead of compatriots Corinne Viden and Louise Rydqvist, while Maguire matched Arwefjall’s 63 to jump into a share of sixth.
“I knew there was a low one out there,” Maguire said. “I didn’t really play it that much better today than I did yesterday, I just holed a few more putts and hit it a smidge closer. I still felt like I left a couple out there but it was a nice moving day.”
Watch the final rounds of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open and the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship live on Sunday on Sky Sports. Get latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.
