Lottie Woad: The Rising Star of Women’s Golf at the AIG Women’s British Open
A remarkable 21-year-old English golfer, Lottie Woad, has quickly become the bookmakers’ favorite to win the prestigious AIG Women’s British Open. This surge in her career comes just a week after she celebrated her first professional victory at the Scottish Open. Woad’s exceptional talent has made her a name to watch as she enters Royal Porthcawl as a top contender.
Woad’s triumph in Scotland is particularly noteworthy, as she became only the third player in the 75-year history of the LPGA to win during her very first event as a tour member. She joins an elite group that includes former world number one Jin Young Ko and Beverly Hanson, who achieved similar victories in 2018 and 1951, respectively.
Over the past fifteen months, Woad has transformed from a relatively unknown player into one of the most compelling stories in women’s golf. Her impressive win at the Scottish Open showcased her skill, as she finished two strokes ahead of the competition at Dundonald Links. Competing alongside top players like world number one Nelly Korda and England’s Charley Hull, Woad demonstrated remarkable composure and confidence.
With her victory secured, Woad has not only earned LPGA playing privileges through 2027 but has also climbed to 24th in the global rankings. Reflecting on her recent successes, Woad stated, "I don’t really know how to describe it. I’ve just been shooting low scores, which is always nice."
British golf fans first took notice of Woad during the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, where she delivered a thrilling performance by sinking three birdies in the last four holes to claim victory. Her ability to maintain her composure as the overnight leader for two consecutive nights showcased her mental strength and determination.
Woad’s impressive amateur achievements include reaching the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings in June 2024 and becoming the first amateur in three years to win on the Ladies European Tour by dominating the Women’s Irish Open.
At Florida State University, Woad has set numerous program records, including a career scoring average of 70.42 and 27 top-10 finishes over three seasons. Her dedication to the sport is evident; despite not having a driving license, she arranged transportation to practice sessions early in the morning, demonstrating her commitment to improving her game. Former teammate Charlotte Heath remarked, "You think you work hard, and she works 10 times harder."
Woad’s pathway to professional golf was facilitated by the LPGA’s new Elite Amateur Pathway program. She secured her professional status with a strong third-place finish at the Amundi Evian Championship, where a final-round 64 nearly earned her a spot in a major championship playoff.
Her fellow competitors have taken notice of Woad’s extraordinary talent. Nelly Korda, who played alongside her at the Scottish Open, praised her poise under pressure. "She’s absolutely amazing," Korda said, highlighting Woad’s ability to stick to her routine.
Jin Young Ko, a newly inducted member of the LPGA Hall of Fame and defending British Open champion, has even studied Woad’s swing. Ko acknowledged, "Just because you’re a higher-ranked player doesn’t mean there’s nothing I can learn from someone else."
Catriona Matthew, a former British Open winner and Woad’s captain at last year’s Curtis Cup, compared her to a young Karrie Webb, stating, "She’s not out there for the glitz and the glam; she just wants to be the best golfer she can be and compete at the highest level."
As Lottie Woad continues her ascent in the world of golf, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how she performs at the AIG Women’s British Open and what the future holds for this remarkable young talent.
