Chinese rookie Miranda Wang fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to take a three-shot lead on Saturday at the weather-affected FM Championship at TPC Boston.
The 26-year-old, who helped Duke University win the NCAA team title in 2019, is in position to claim her first LPGA Tour victory after reaching 18-under-par 198. She leads 36-hole pacesetter Kim Sei-young and American Rose Zhang by three strokes heading into Sunday’s final round.
World No 1 Jeeno Thitikul and Andrea Lee are a further shot back on 14 under.
Wang had wrapped up her second-round 67 late on Friday before play was suspended due to darkness. Starting three behind Kim, she surged up the board with birdies at the 2nd, 6th, 7th and 8th, then rolled in further gains at the 12th, 14th and 18th. She needed just 24 putts to complete her round.
“I did a good job today,” Wang said. “I really want to give myself some credit. This is where all the players want to be, so it’s definitely special going into the final round being the sole leader.”
Kim had a long day, completing her second-round 65 before returning for a third-round 71. The South Korean, chasing a 13th LPGA title and her first since 2020, dropped early shots at the 2nd and 3rd but clawed back with three birdies on the back nine.
Zhang followed a second-round 64 with a third-round 67. The former US collegiate star bounced back from an early bogey with six birdies.
“It’s been a while since I played 32 holes,” said Zhang. “I needed to grind it out a little bit and stay focused.”
Jeeno matched Wang’s 65 with eight birdies to sit at 14 under alongside Lee, who signed for a 66.
Park Kum-kang, ranked 340th in the world, shot a stunning eight-under 64 to join Ayaka Furue (66) and Celine Borge (67) in a share of sixth at 13 under.
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Photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Article Link: Wang in charge at LPGA FM Championship