Lottie Woad has made an impressive entrance into professional golf by leading the LPGA Scottish Open in her home country. In her first pro start at just 21 years old, the former world No. 1 amateur sits two strokes ahead of world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen through the first 36 holes in Scotland. This start marks a significant moment for Woad as she transitions from amateur to professional with great promise.
Woad’s Consistent Performance Builds Momentum
After completing a bogey-free second round, Woad credited her steady approach, stating,
“I mean, I don’t really try and change anything. Obviously, just try to do what I did in Ireland to be honest.”
Her confidence stems from a successful amateur career that recently included a commanding victory at the Ladies European Tour’s Women’s Irish Open where she won by six strokes. This was quickly followed by earning LPGA status with a third-place finish at the Evian Championship, one of women’s golf’s prestigious majors.
Currently at 12 under par, Woad’s performance has energized the local fans as she competes alongside Nelly Korda, providing an exciting duel at the forefront of the tournament. Woad acknowledged the positive atmosphere, saying,
“It’s been great. The crowds are really good. Even yesterday, when we teed off early. Yeah, nice to have all the people come out.”
Nelly Korda Seeks Return to Winning Form
World No. 1 Nelly Korda is also in contention and aiming for her first victory this season following an exceptional previous year with seven tournament wins. Reflecting on her game so far, Korda remarked,
“Hit it really well and I have only missed four greens through two days, so happy with that. Hopefully, I can continue trending in the right direction.”
Despite being slightly behind Woad, Korda remains a formidable competitor with experience and skill on her side.
Woad Pursues Historic Win in Rookie LPGA Event
With two rounds remaining, Woad stands in a commanding position to earn a rare victory in her professional debut. Success at this stage would make her just the third player since 1951 to win their first pro tournament, following Rose Zhang, who achieved this feat in 2023. Woad remains focused on maintaining her strategy amid the pressure, saying,
“I’m just going to stick to the plan I’ve had all week and same strategy, and just keep trying to play well. Obviously, people will be chasing me, but just not going to change anything.”
Impact and Outlook for Women’s Golf
Lottie Woad’s promising start has sparked excitement among fans and experts alike, hinting at a new star rising in women’s golf. Her seamless transition from amateur dominance to professional leadership signals a potentially groundbreaking career ahead. Meanwhile, the battle between Woad and Nelly Korda adds intensity and intrigue as the LPGA Scottish Open continues, with both players poised to challenge for the title and elevate the sport’s profile in Scotland and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Nelly Korda have surgery?
A. She recently had an operation to remove a blood clot from her subclavian vein. Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and the doctors were satisfied with the results. Now, she is at home resting and getting ready to start rehabilitation. She is eager to fully recover so she can resume practicing.
Q. Is Nelly Korda rich?
A. Recently, Sportico.com published a list of top female athletes making the most money worldwide. Korda ranked 8th, earning around $14.4 million. This amount includes $4.4 million from her wins on the course and the rest from sponsorships.