Staff WriterThe FM Championship opened in Boston with all the subtlety of a fireworks show, and by sundown on Thursday three women—Sei Young Kim, Allisen Corpuz, and Jodi Ewart Shadoff—were perched atop the leaderboard with matching 7-under-par 65s.
Kim’s round was textbook precision: no bogeys, seven birdies, and a swing that looked like it was drawn with a compass. She hit 12 of 14 fairways, found 16 of 18 greens, and needed just 27 putts.
For a woman who hasn’t led after an opening round since Shanghai in 2024, this was a timely reminder that her 12-time LPGA winning résumé is still very much alive.
“I think a lot of good young players. Like last year, two years ago, it’s totally different generation right now, since two years ago. So, yeah, but golf is golf.
If you play well you can still make the chance, so glad to the new generation, compete with them. Yeah, it’s not easy but I’m still like same as what I do, (laughter.),” Kim said, clearly relishing the battle with the Tour’s latest wave of rookies.
Corpuz’s patience pays off
Allisen Corpuz, the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open champion, produced her best opening round at the FM Championship with a sparkling 65, beating her previous low by two shots.
She racked up eight birdies, including a run of three straight from holes 15 to 17, and poured in eight consecutive one-putts on the back nine.
“Yeah, I think my parents have always instilled that in me and my demeanour lends itself to that,” Corpuz said when asked how she maintains patience across the season. “Just I think just having the support around me, my family and friends, has always given me that comfort.”
Ewart Shadoff rediscovers her groove
For Jodi Ewart Shadoff, this was more than just a number on a scorecard. Injuries have kept her fighting uphill for the last 18 months, but on Thursday she found daylight again.
The Englishwoman birdied her final four holes, hitting 15 greens and taking just 25 putts, to join the tie at the top.
“It’s nice. It’s been a while. I haven’t played very well for the last 18 months since I got injured, so it’s been a very tough comeback,” she admitted. “I didn’t know if I would ever get to shoot a round like today again, but I’m finally kind of mentally feeling better about things and more in control of my game and like how I’m hitting the ball.”
The chasing pack
Miranda Wang sits one shot back after an electric front-nine 29, recording nine birdies in total for a 66. Rookie nerves? Not a chance. “I think the most important thing this year for me is knowing that I’m good enough to be playing out here,” Wang said. “Now I’m feeling settled in so that’s really good.”
Eight players are lurking at 5-under 67, including world No. 2 Nelly Korda, France’s Celine Boutier, and Australia’s Minjee Lee. Korda summed up her day with a smile: “It was great. Had a great group following us too. Obviously with Brooke winning last week and Minjee playing so well this year, it was a lot of fun.”
A record still out there
The FM Championship scoring record of 62, set last year by Haeran Ryu, remains untouched—for now. But with the greens firm, the wind twitchy, and birdies flying around like confetti, there’s little doubt someone will take a run at it over the next three days.
For now, it’s Kim, Corpuz, and Ewart Shadoff who have set the pace, with the rest of the field chasing. If Thursday is any indication, the FM Championship could be heading for a Sunday finish as unpredictable as Boston weather in April.
