In her first professional tournament, England’s Lottie Woad has taken a two-stroke lead over World No. 1 Nelly Korda at the halfway mark of the ISPS Women’s Scottish Open. The event is underway at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland, with Woad’s impressive play marking a significant milestone in her transition from amateur to pro.
Woad’s Strong Second-Round Performance Sets Her Apart
Woad, 21, posted a 7-under 65 on Friday, giving her a total score of 12-under par after two rounds. She executed a flawless round free of bogeys and landed seven birdies, notably scoring at all four par-5 holes. Previously the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world, Woad made her professional debut following a tied third-place finish at the Evian Championship two weeks ago.
Hit a lot of greens … a lot of fairways, and then holed a few nice putts.
—Lottie Woad, Professional Golfer
Close Pursuit from Korda and Other Competitors
World No. 1 Nelly Korda and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen are tied for second place at 10-under after each carded 66 on Friday. Korda, who played alongside Woad in the opening rounds, had seven birdies and a single bogey on the 18th hole. She is currently aiming for her first victory of the season following a tie for second at the U.S. Women’s Open. The women’s golf circuit is rapidly gearing up for next week’s AIG Women’s Open in Wales.
I started out strong with two birdies on my first two holes, and then the wind kind of died down throughout the day, so capitalized on the weather,
Yeah, just 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.
—Nelly Korda, World No. 1 Golfer
Sei Young Kim holds fourth place at 9-under, while her fellow South Korean Hyo Joo Kim sits in fifth at 8-under. Despite chilly and windy conditions, Koerstz Madsen maintained composure with seven birdies and one bogey.
A lot more wind today than yesterday. Yeah, a little bit more tricky.
—Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Danish Golfer
Woad’s Recent Success Fuels Her Confidence
Woad’s rapid rise includes a six-shot triumph at the Women’s Irish Open earlier this month, where she became the first amateur to win on the Ladies European Tour since 2022. She followed that by finishing one shot behind Grace Kim at the Evian Championship. This momentum has carried through to her professional debut, where she is demonstrating strong consistency and poise.
I’m obviously just kind of trying to continue the momentum really,
Obviously trying to play well, and, yeah, just got confidence and keep on doing that.
—Lottie Woad, Professional Golfer
Mixed Fortunes Among Other Players
Defending champion Lauren Coughlin is tied for 12th place at 4-under after shooting 70 in the second round. In contrast, first-round leader Charlotte Laffar experienced a steep decline, finishing 10-over 82 on Friday and missing the cut, leaving her tied for 91st place in the field.
Outlook as the Tournament Progresses
With her strong showing, Lottie Woad has positioned herself as the player to watch as the ISPS Women’s Scottish Open moves into its final rounds. Nelly Korda remains within striking distance, continuing her efforts to secure a first win this season in preparation for the upcoming AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, Wales. The competition is poised to remain intense as top players seek to claim the title.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Nelly Korda have surgery?
A. She recently had an operation to remove a blood clot in her subclavian vein. She said the surgery was successful, and the doctors were pleased. Now, she is home resting and getting ready for rehabilitation. She is eager to fully recover and start practicing again.
Q. Is Nelly Korda rich?
A. Sportico.com published a list of the top-earning female athletes worldwide, with Korda ranked eighth, earning around $14.4 million. This amount includes $4.4 million from her sports victories. The rest of her income came from endorsements.