In her LPGA pro debut, Lottie Woad is having fun, taking 54-hole lead at Scottish Open

USA Today

26-07-2025

GAILES, Scotland — Making the transition from amateur golf to the cut-and-thrust of the professional scene can often be a treacherous leap of faith that would make Evel Knievel slightly wary.For all those who hit the ground running, there are countless others who simply hit the ground with the kind of painful dunt that old Evel suffered when he tried to loup the fountains at Caesars Palace.As for Lottie Woad? Well, she just takes it all in her stride. In her first start as a new recruit to the professional ranks, the supremely talented 21-year-old moved herself into early contention on day one of the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.Flung into the marquee group with the world No. 1, Nelly Korda, and box office hit Charley Hull, Woad reveled in the occasion and marked a new era in her blossoming career with a sprightly five-under 67.
There's nothing to this pro lark, eh? 'I don't think so,' said Woad.This game is never easy, of course, but Woad continues to ride a wave of confidence that has built up over a prolonged period of achievement.A winner of the Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship in 2024, Load went on to finish in a share of 10th as an amateur in the AIG Women's Open last summer.The Surrey youngster continued those amateur dramatics in the Irish Women's Open at the start of July and won by six shots before finishing in a tie for third in the fourth major of the women's campaign, the Amundi Evian Championship.Her switch to the paid game was inevitable. On a pleasant Ayrshire week, it was just business as usual for Woad amid all the hype and hoopla.
But after flirting with the lead early in the tournament, the Florida State product put the pedal to the medal on Saturday, firing another 67 in the third round to take a two-stroke lead into Sunday, with the hopes of capturing the title. Sei Young Kim and Nanna Koerstz Madsen are tied for second.
Even Woad wasn't foolish or naive enough to think she'd be in this position."I don't think you can ever expect to be leading. But I knew my game was good and I was playing well the last, you know, month or so. So definitely hope to be contending," she said. "So yeah, I'm just kind of where I wanted to be.
"Obviously, you can't control what people are doing. I'm just going to try and play well, and if I play well, I'll be happy tomorrow."