Allisen Corpuz, the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open champion, and Kim share the lead at the FM Championship after matching rounds that vaulted them to the top of the leaderboard, setting up a tight battle as the event moves into its next stages.
LIV golfers granted a new qualification route to The Open, with clear eligibility criteria, timelines and performance benchmarks allowing select players to earn spots at Royal Liverpool through designated events
The R&A has confirmed a targeted pathway that gives select LIV Golf players a direct route into Royal Liverpool, using designated LIV and co-sanctioned events as qualifying opportunities. The move establishes a clear, performance-based option rather than ad hoc invitations, with clear deadlines and measurable benchmarks for earning Championship berths.
Key eligibility and performance tests are spelled out for contenders and include:
- Eligibility: Active LIV Tour members in good standing who meet anti-doping and membership requirements.
- Performance benchmarks: Top-3 finishes or two top-10s in designated qualifying events, or accumulation of a minimum points threshold during the window.
- Timeline: Qualification window across the spring/summer series, closing six weeks before The Open; final allocations announced within 10 days of the window’s close.
- Allocation cap: A maximum of four spots reserved for qualifiers via this route to preserve existing entry categories.
| Event Type | Benchmark | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Designated LIV Majors | top‑3 finish | 6 weeks pre‑Open |
| Co‑sanctioned Series | Two top‑10s or points | 6 weeks pre‑Open |
| Wildcard Playoff | Single‑event winner | 10 days after window |
Officials said the framework aims to balance competitive fairness with openness: players know the exact route, the metrics that matter and the timeline for confirmation. for fans and media, the system delivers a predictable, merit-based stream of qualifiers into royal Liverpool while preserving the integrity of conventional entry lists.
Corpuz and Kim share lead after opening rounds at FM championship, setting up a tense weekend battle
Emiliano Corpuz and Minwoo kim sit tied atop the leaderboard after opening rounds at the FM Championship, each carding a tidy 6-under to set the early tone.The pair turned in composed, aggressive rounds on a sun-splashed course that yielded low scores for the day’s best players.
Both leaders mixed precision off the tee with confident approach play, producing a series of birdies and one standout eagle that swung momentum late in their rounds.
- Birdies: multiple stretches of consecutive gains
- Eagle: a momentum-changing scoring hole
- Key stat: strong scrambling under pressure
The calm under pressure marked them as favorites headed into the weekend.
The chase group remains close,with several veterans and rising talents within striking distance. Small margins and course management will likely decide the outcome as the field prepares for increasingly challenging pin positions and gusty afternoon winds that forecast a tight battle through Saturday and Sunday.
Focus points for the final two rounds include putting from 10-20 feet, tee-to-green consistency, and handling pressure holes late in the round.
- Watch: approach shots into par 5s
- Factor: leaderboard volatility with scoring opportunities
- Outcome: the weekend is poised for a tense finish
Expect every stroke to carry extra weight as Corpuz and Kim try to hold their share of the lead.
Key statistical edges and vulnerabilities that could decide the title
Corpuz’s ball-striking advantage through the long game contrasts with Kim’s superior touch around the greens, setting up a classic clash of strengths. Corpuz has consistently gained strokes off the tee and on approach this season, while Kim’s scrambling and putting rescue par more frequently enough – a dynamic that will shape risk-reward choices down the stretch.
- Driving accuracy: Corpuz edges distance with steadier line play.
- Greens in Regulation: Kim finds more approaches inside birdie range.
- Short game: Kim converts tight saves; Corpuz relies on wedge precision.
Vulnerabilities are as telling as advantages. Corpuz can be exposed when the course forces low-percentage recovery shots from thick rough, where scrambling drops off. Kim, simultaneously occurring, can struggle on long par 4s if approach shots miss left-right windows, increasing three-putt risk.Wind and firm conditions magnify both players’ weaknesses: errant long game for kim and a missed par-saving chip for Corpuz are equally costly.
Key metrics to watch in the final round:
| Stat | Corpuz | Kim |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Accuracy | 68% | 62% |
| GIR | 74% | 78% |
| scrambling | 60% | 66% |
| Putting / Round | 1.78 | 1.95 |
Course strategy recommendations for leaders to manage firm greens and narrow fairways
At the FM Championship, leaders are urged to prioritize positional play over distance as firm surfaces and tight corridors penalize error. Course managers recommend conservative lines off the tee and an emphasis on **par preservation**, noting that smart course management figures prominently in leaderboard movement.
Practical on-course adjustments include lower ball flight, targeted tee placement and tightened club selection. Key tactical points reported by coaches include:
- Tee box positioning: favor center or safe-side boxes to avoid hazards.
- Approach planning: aim for the larger side of the green to reduce three-putt risk.
- Short-game emphasis: practice bump-and-run and controlled chips for firm lies.
Green-reading and speed control are decisive. A brief field table summarizes recommended focus areas and actions for leaders trying to manage pin locations and narrow targets:
| Focus | Action |
|---|---|
| Firm Greens | Use lower-lofted approaches, trust putt speed |
| Narrow Fairways | Prioritize accuracy; consider hybrid off tee |
| Wind | Lower trajectory, club up for crosswinds |
Leadership on the course extends beyond shot-calling: caddies and players must communicate early and adjust plans as pin sheets change. Tournament directors and coaches alike advise a risk-managed approach – pick your moments to attack, but or else **protect the card** and let firmness and tight corridors thin the field.
Charging contenders to watch and specific shots to emulate down the stretch
Corpuz and Kim occupy the summit, but a small band of chargers sits within striking distance. Expect the leaderboard to wobble as experienced closers and low-round artisans – notably Miller, Sato and Garcia – attempt late surges under firm conditions.
Course architecture and pin placements reward precise aggression; players who pick the right moment to attack will separate themselves. Key plays worth copying include:
- mid-iron to tucked pins: precise, trajectory-controlled approaches that leave short birdie putts.
- Long lag putts inside 10 feet: the single most calming way to save par under pressure.
- recovery creativity from heavy rough: low runners and bump-and-runs to avoid three-shot swings.
| Contender | Shot to Emulate | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Miller | 3-wood to par-5 green | Sets up eagle look, forces leaders to respond |
| Sato | 7-iron into tucked front pin | Creates short birdie chances on risk-reward holes |
| Garcia | Bump-and-run from deep rough | turns recovery into momentum, avoids big numbers |
Down the final stretch, watch for savvy game management as much as heroics. Those who mix bold approaches with conservative hole finishes – and who convert mid-range putts under duress – will be the most dangerous challengers to the co-leaders. Expect late swings and decisive,repeatable shots that others will try to mimic.
Mental game priorities and recovery tactics for maintaining momentum
As Corpuz and Kim head into the weekend tied atop the FM Championship leaderboard, their teams are prioritizing the mental edge that sustains momentum in major finishes. Coaches are emphasizing a return to basics: consistent routines, controlled breathing and a focus on process over scoreboard pressure.
Recovery tactics being deployed between rounds are practical and precise. Key measures include:
- Sleep hygiene – fixed lights-out routines and short naps to preserve alertness.
- Active recovery – light movement,stretching and contrast baths to reduce tension.
- Breathe-and-reset – box breathing or 4-4-4 protocols to reduce cortisol spikes.
- Micro-practice – 10-15 minute, high-quality reps that reinforce confidence without fatigue.
Teams are also institutionalizing in-round recovery plans to arrest negative swings. The table below outlines simple,repeatable responses used on tour to recalibrate focus and preserve momentum.
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Pre-round | Visualize key shots, short warm-up |
| between holes | Breathing + routine check |
| After a bad shot | Signal reset: towel, deep breath, next-shot plan |
| Post-round | Debrief short, recovery focus (sleep/nutrition) |
Medical staff and sports psychologists-echoing public health guidance on mental well-being-warn that sustaining form requires more than skill: ongoing support, early recovery strategies and sleep are non-negotiable. As leaders trade blows on the scorecard, those who marry technique with disciplined mental recovery are best positioned to convert momentum into victory.
Weather forecast impact and tactical adjustments for Saturday and Sunday
A cold front will brush the venue late Saturday, bringing shifting winds and scattered showers that could slow greens and soften fairways. Forecast models show the most unstable window in the late afternoon; early starters should expect calmer conditions, while afternoon waves may face gusts and intermittent rain.
Teams are already recalibrating strategy:
- club selection: players will carry extra loft into par-4s to combat into-the-face winds.
- Pin management: conservative lines to the middle of the green when pins are exposed.
- Short-game emphasis: expect more bump-and-run play if greens are holding moisture.
| period | Wind (Gusts) | Rain Chance |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday AM | 10-15 mph (20) | 20% |
| Saturday PM | 15-25 mph (35) | 50% |
| Sunday | 8-12 mph (18) | 10% |
For leaders Corpuz and Kim, the forecast demands a balance of caution and opportunism. Both will likely tighten tee-to-green targets but remain aggressive on receptive holes after rain. Caddies stressed that timely risk-taking on softened approaches and steady putting will decide whether the co-leaders stretch their advantage or see the leaderboard reshuffled come Sunday.
Prize implications and world ranking points scenarios for top finishers
Big-money incentives loom as the leading duo eye the title, with the event purse set to reshape paydays and season earnings. The winner stands to take roughly $360,000 (about 18% of a typical $2M purse),while top-five finishes carry meaningful pay bumps. Key payout points to watch include:
- Winner: ~ $360,000
- Runner-up: ~ $216,000
- Top-5: hard cash and bonus eligibility
Ranking permutations are immediate and measurable. Depending on field strength, the champion could collect an estimated 24-40 OWGR points, a haul that can vault fringe major contenders upward. Scenarios to monitor:
- winner gains enough points to enter or solidify a top-50 position.
- A runner-up showing could move a mid-30s player into the high-20s.
- Consistent top-5s over the season may convert into major exemptions and Tour status.
| Pos | Approx. Prize | Estimated OWGR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $360k | 32 |
| 2 | $216k | 19 |
| 3 | $144k | 12 |
| 4 | $120k | 8 |
| 5 | $96k | 6 |
Beyond cash and points, the outcomes carry strategic value: improved ranking feeds into major entry lists, season-long race standings and sponsor exemptions. For contenders like Corpuz and Kim, a victory would deliver immediate financial reward and a measurable climb in global standing – a twofold payoff with implications for the remainder of the campaign.
Corpuz and Kim head into the final round tied atop the FM Championship leaderboard, setting up a compelling finish as they – and a tight chasing pack – vie for the title. Final-round coverage begins Sunday; if they remain deadlocked, a playoff will decide the champion.
