
Woad shares lead after first round as professional
Lottie Woad's first round as a professional ended with the 21-year-old taking an early share of the lead at the Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.The former amateur world number one from Surrey had held top spot on her own after six birdies in 14 holes, including almost holing her tee shot at the short 11th.But her only bogey of the day at the par-four 17th dropped Woad back alongside Ireland's Leona Maguire - herself a former number one-ranked amateur - Japan's Rio Takeda and Spaniard Nuria Iturrioz, who all shot five under-par 67."I will definitely take it, there was some good and some bad, but overall it was pretty fair," said Woad."The last couple of holes were tricky with the wind and I was just playing for pars. It was pretty stress-free most of the day."Woad, who won the Irish Open earlier this month, announced her decision to turn professional last week.That came after missing out on £400,000 prize money when finishing just a shot outside the play-off won by Grace Kim at the Evian Championship, the women's fourth major of the year.In a large group one shot behind on four under are world number one and two-time major champion Nelly Korda and Minjee Lee, who won her third major at last month's US PGA Championship.
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The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lottie Woad under no extra pressure at Women's Open after first professional win
Golf sensation Lottie Woad insisted she was under no extra pressure at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl after winning her first tournament as a professional. Woad tees it up at a major as a pro for the first time in South Wales on Thursday, having won the Women's Scottish Open title by three shots last weekend. The 21-year-old from Surrey picked up a 300,000 dollars (£223,000) cheque after being prevented from profiting financially from her victory at the Irish Open and tied-third finish in The Evian Championship earlier this month because of her amateur status. United States-based Woad revealed at her pre-Open press conference how she would spend some of her first career earnings – saying, 'I need to get a car in America' – and the bookmakers are expecting another windfall to come her way on the Harry Colt links layout. 'I don't know how they do it, but I feel like I'm playing well,' Woad said in response to being priced as the pre-tournament favourite. 'So I guess I was going to be one of the favourites. Obviously everyone's so good, so I feel like anyone can win really. 'You've seen it this year, so many – I think every winner has been different. So there's many people it could be. 'There's always pressure obviously, but I don't think there's any more than there was, like from my perspective, before any of the last fewweeks. 'Kind of still was wanting to contend there and that's still the aim.' Woad's last appearance at a major – the Evian Championship in France three weeks ago – saw her narrowly missing out on becoming the first amateur to win one in 58 years. She finished one shot off making the play-off with eventual champion Grace Kim and Atthaya Thitikul after posting a final round 64. Woad said: 'I think it gave me a lot (of confidence). 'Some of the majors I made the cut, I didn't really have the best weekend on. So I was hoping to capitalise a bit more on that one. 'The final round was also very good. Yeah, it definitely gives me confidence in that and knowing that I can chase it down on Sunday. 'I don't feel too different. I've got a lot of confidence from the last month really and I'm just trying to continue to ride that.' World number one Nelly Korda, Open runner-up to Lydia Ko at St Andrews 12 months ago, praised Woad's composure and maturity, with the American saying she was 'definitely high up there right now' as a title contender. Woad said: 'I don't think I've reflected too much, to be honest (on the last month). 'I think after this big week, I've got a week before I go out to America. That's probably when I'll look back at the last few months and kind of reflect on that.'


South Wales Guardian
41 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Panathinaikos vs Rangers: Get £20 football free bets and 50 free spins with Midnite
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