South Korea’s Jiyai Shin secured her third title on the LPGA Tour in four starts with an impressive four-stroke victory at the Hana Bank Championship thanks to a final-round 67.
– Lydia Ko Leads by 2 over Emma Coughlin at FM Championship
Lydia Ko Batting Away Challengers at FM Championship
Lydia Ko is in the driver’s seat after day two of the FM Championship, firing a bogey-free five-under 66 to open up a handy three-shot advantage at Galloway National Golf Club.
Ko’s Brilliance on Display at Galloway
The New Zealander picked up shots at the second, third, ninth, 14th and 15th holes to surge clear of the field, showing the kind of form that saw her rise to world No.1 at just 17 years of age.
Coughlin Hangs Tough at Galloway
Emma Coughlin is trying her best to keep pace with Ko, however, the American could only manage a one-under 70 on Friday, leaving her three shots behind the leader at four-under.
Other Contenders in the Mix
A gaggle of players are lurking just behind Coughlin on the leaderboard, including Ariya Jutanugarn, Charley Hull, and Brooke Henderson, all separated by just one shot at three-under.
Ko Aiming for Redemption at Galloway
Ko will be looking to exorcise some demons at Galloway, having lost in a playoff at the event last year. She believes she has learned from that experience and is ready to claim her second title of the season.
Leaderboard after Day 2:
| Rank | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lydia Ko | -8 |
| 2 | Emma Coughlin | -5 |
| 3 | Ariya Jutanugarn | -3 |
| 4 | Charley Hull | -3 |
| 5 | Brooke Henderson | -3 |
– Kos Aggressive Approach Leads to Commanding Lead in Las Vegas
Ko’s Aggressive Approach Leads to Commanding Lead in Las Vegas
Hyo Joo Ko proved that sometimes the best defense is a strong offense, as she fired a blistering 66 to take a two-stroke lead over Kelly Coughlin after the first round of the FM Championship.
Ko, who has been in sizzling form this season, with two wins and a runner-up finish, was in imperious form from the get-go. She birdied the first two holes, the latter a stunning 20-foot putt, and added another birdie on the fourth to build an early lead.
Although the conditions were tough, with strong winds swirling around the Las Vegas Country Club, Ko seemed unfazed. She hit a towering drive on the difficult 10th hole, getting within 60 yards of the hole! And she made an eagle on the 12th to really put some daylight between herself and the field.
Ko’s aggressive approach was in stark contrast to the more conservative tactics adopted by her rivals. Coughlin, her closest challenger, took a more cautious approach, aiming for the fairways and greens at the expense of distance.
But Ko’s strategy proved to be far more effective in the challenging conditions. Her aggressive play gave her more chances at birdies, and her pinpoint accuracy allowed her to avoid the rough and bunkers that were proving troublesome for others.
Here’s a look at the top of the leaderboard after Round 1:
| Player | Score |
|—|—|
| Hyo Joo Ko | 66 |
| Kelly Coughlin | 68 |
| Jessica Korda | 69 |
| Jenny Shin | 70 |
| Lydia Ko | 71 |
| Lexi Thompson | 72 |
– Coughlin Chases Ko for Second FM Championship Title
Coughlin Chases Ko for Second FM Championship Title
CHULA VISTA, Calif. – Lydia Ko shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead over Alison Lee after the third round of the LPGA Kia Classic.
Ko, who won the tournament in 2014, had five birdies and a bogey in her round. She is at 13-under 203 for the tournament.
Lee, who was tied with Ko after two rounds, shot a 70 on Saturday. She birdied the 18th hole to finish at 11-under 205.
| Rank | Player | To Par |
|—|—|—|
| 1 | Lydia Ko | -13 |
| 2 | Alison Lee | -11 |
| 3 | Brittany Lincicome | -10 |
| 4 | Lexi Thompson | -9 |
| 5 | Cristie Kerr | -8 |
Celine Boutier is three strokes back at 10-under 206 after shooting a 69.
Brittany Lincicome is alone in fourth place at 9-under 207 after a 68.
Lexi Thompson is tied for fifth place at 8-under 208 after a 69.
Cristie Kerr is also tied for fifth at 8-under 208 after a 68.
The final round of the tournament will be played on Sunday.
- Expert Analysis and Predictions for the Final Round of the FM Championship
Expert Analysis and Predictions for the Final Round of the FM Championship
With the third round of the FM Championship wrapped up, the stage is set for an exciting final day of competition. World No. 1 Lydia Ko holds a two-shot lead over American Danielle Kang, with several other top players within striking distance.
Ko’s Power and Consistency
Ko has been in imperious form throughout the tournament, carding two rounds in the 60s and a 70 on Friday. The New Zealander is known for her prodigious length off the tee and her pinpoint iron play. If she can continue to hit fairways and greens, she will be difficult to catch.
Kang’s Charge
Kang has made a late surge up the leaderboard, firing a 66 on Saturday to move into solo second place. The American is a long hitter with a strong short game. She will need to post a low score on Sunday to put pressure on Ko.
Other Contenders
Behind Ko and Kang, a host of players are lurking within range. Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul, who is third, and American Nelly Korda, who is tied for fourth, are both capable of shooting low rounds.
Table: Top Contenders and Their Current Positions
| Player | Round 3 Score | Total Score | Position |
|—|—|—|—|
| Lydia Ko | 69 | 201 | 1 |
| Danielle Kang | 66 | 203 | 2 |
| Atthaya Thitikul | 69 | 204 | 3 |
| Nelly Korda | 70 | 205 | T4 |
| Brooke Henderson | 70 | 205 | T4 |
Prediction
The final round of the FM Championship promises to be a thrilling battle between Ko, Kang, and the other contenders. Ko is the slight favorite given her current form and experience, but Kang and Thitikul are both capable of pulling off an upset. Expect a low-scoring day with plenty of drama and excitement.
Ko leads by two over Coughlin at FM Championship
Lydia Ko has played her way into the lead halfway through the inaugural FM Championship at Dumbarnie Links, Scotland. Ko holds a narrow two-shot lead over American Alison Coughlin through 36 holes at the new Scottish links. Lydia Ko carded three birdies in her first four holes in blustery conditions on Friday and remained bogey-free through the round to post a four-under-par 68, moving to eight-under for the tournament. She is two shots clear of Coughlin, who bounced back from a double-bogey on the 10th hole with three birdies, including one at the last, to card a second successive 70 this week.
