Weather Disrupts FM Championship, Corpuz and Wang Share Lead
The FM Championship is facing meaningful delays due to persistent thunderstorms, leaving several players with lengthy days on the course. Allisen Corpuz and Xiyu Wang currently share the lead at 11-under 133 after navigating challenging conditions and multiple suspensions of play.
Current Leaders:
Allisen Corpuz (-11)
Xiyu Wang (-11)
Contenders Close Behind:
Madelene Sagstrom (-9)
Azahara Munoz (-8)
Celine Borge (-8)
Nelly Korda (-7)
Atthaya Thitikul (-7)
Miyu Yamashita (-7)
* Jodi Ewart Shadoff (-7)
A Test of patience and Resilience
Players are demonstrating remarkable patience as repeated weather interruptions test their mental fortitude.You can imagine the frustration of facing constant starts and stops, but professionals are adapting. Wang, in particular, showcased her scoring ability with 16 birdies through 36 holes, including a crucial birdie putt on the 18th after a two-hour delay.
“I didn’t expect the weather because on the forecast we didn’t see any thunderstorms coming in this morning,” Wang explained. “But,well,that’s golf. We’re playing in nature, so it’s sometimes unpredictable. We just have to face it and prepare mentally, physically for the thunderstorms and just try to stay calm and every time warm up just like you didn’t stop and just keep going.”
Notable Performances and Challenges
Several players made significant moves on the leaderboard despite the disruptions. Madelene sagstrom carded a 66 to reach 9-under, while Azahara Munoz and Celine Borge remain within striking distance at 8-under.
Nelly Korda, seeking her first win of the year, faces a demanding Saturday with 32 holes to play. Atthaya Thitikul, recently ranked number one in the world, is also in contention, though four shots back, after a solid 68. She and her group proactively finished the ninth hole when they spotted approaching clouds, illustrating the need for rapid decision-making.
“The security guard told us… three minutes left,so run,ready and go,” Thitikul said. “It was start and stop, start and stop. It was frustrating a little bit, but glad we’re done.”
Tournament outlook
tournament officials are optimistic about completing the event despite the delays. The current plan involves making the cut and then sending threesomes off both the first and tenth tees to expedite play. A favorable weekend forecast is crucial for getting the tournament back on schedule by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.Ultimately, this championship is proving to be a true test of not only golfing skill but also mental resilience and adaptability in the face of unpredictable conditions. You can expect a thrilling finish as players battle to overcome the challenges and claim the title.
