2026 FM Championship: Miyu Yamashita grabs share of the lead days after runaway victory in Canada

Norton, Mass. (AP) — Japanese golfer Miyu Yamashita reclaimed the top spot on the LPGA Tour leaderboard days after securing a record-breaking nine-stroke victory in Canada. At the FM Championship in TPC Boston, Yamashita posted a 2-under 70 and shared the lead with Hyo Joo Kim and U.S. Solheim Cup qualifier Allisen Corpuz. Kim and Corpuz each shot a 67, putting them at 9-under 135 strokes.

Yamashita, who boasts four LPGA Tour titles, including the Meijer LPGA Classic in June and the AIG Women’s Open in Wales last season, also holds 13 victories in her home country's championship. Kim has two wins this season, the Founders Cup and Ford Championship. Yamashita acknowledged that it has been some time since her name appeared on the leaderboard.

At the third round of the FM Championship, Morgane Metraux, Ruoning Yin, and Jenny Bae were each one stroke behind the leaders. Nataliya Guseva and Emily Kristine Pedersen were at 7 under par. Former world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who had a 72 in the first round, fell to three strokes back after a 74. European captain Anna Nordqvist secured the final automatic spot on the U.S. team in Canada and bounced back from an opening 74 with a 68.

Corpuz earned her place on the U.S. team last week in Canada and praised her performance, stating that she will seize any opportunities that arise. The $4.4 million prize pool is the largest outside the majors on the LPGA Tour.