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Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
'It means a lot, ' says Lottie Woad after stunning six-shot victory in the Irish Open
Amateur Lottie Woad stormed to a six-shot victory at the 2025 KPMG Women's Irish Open at Carton House, A Fairmont Hotel in Ireland, on the Ladies European Tour (LET). The World Number One Amateur had rounds of 68, 67, 67 and 69, for a 72-hole total of 271, 21 under par in one of the strongest fields of the LET season to date, which included Solheim Cup players as well as LPGA and LET winners. 132 players started the week, with 69 players making the weekend cut, which fell at two over par. She teed off the final round with a remarkable seven-shot lead and was never challenged as it became a back-nine procession for her first, of what is sure to be, many LET victories. Her final round was, once again, the epitome of consistency, with a haul of six birdies and just two bogeys over the 6,337-yard, par 73 O'Meara Course layout. 'It means a lot to get the win,' said the modest and quietly spoken Woad, who won the Augusta Women's National Amateur in 2024 – she lets the clubs do the talking. 'Obviously, I had a big lead coming into today, but I still had to really focus as I was being chased by some really good players. I'm happy to get it done. It's perfect. I feel like I'm playing well, and I hope to continue that into Evian next week. 'As soon as I birdied the second hole with a nice 12-footer there, that settled me. I hit a lot of good shots, I didn't hole as many putts as the other days, but it was pretty stress-free in the end,' she added. 'It felt pretty comfortable overall. There were a few moments at the start of the back nine that could have gone wrong, but I managed to hang in there and finish with some nice birdies. 'I think either my shot into 17 or the shot into 16 to set up a birdie were the best ones because I wrapped it up from there, so that was nice,' Woad concluded. Sweden's Madelene Sagström, a Solheim Cup star, ended the week in outright second place on 15 under-par after a final round of 68 (-5) in and took the first prize of €67,500, with Woad ineligible to take it as an amateur. Other players of note in the field included: Charley Hull (Eng) - 280, Maha Haddioui (Mor) - 287, Georgia Hall (Eng) and Dubai-based Chiara Noja (Ger) both on 290 and Leona Maguire (Ire) on 292. Next up for Woad and the LET is the fourth Major of the year with the $8 million Amundi Evian Championship taking place from July 10th – 13th at Evian Resort Golf Club, France. Results (6,337 yards, Par 73). L. Woad (Am) (Eng) 68. 67. 67. 69. 271. M. Sagstrom (Swe) 68. 71. 70. 68. 277. A. Garvey (NZ) 69. 70. 72. 67. 278. C. Hull (Eng) 70. 69. 72. 69. 280.
Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
A star is born: Lottie Woad's breakthrough victory signals arrival of amateur sensation
When a 21-year-old amateur not only wins a professional golf tournament but does so by a stunning six-shot margin, it's time for the golf world to sit up and take notice. Enter Lottie Woad, England's rising star, who captured the KPMG Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour with an extraordinary display of skill and composure. Lottie's journey to this breakthrough has been swift and impressive. Her amateur career has been studded with remarkable achievements, marking her out as one of the brightest prospects in women's golf. After clinching the Surrey Ladies County Championship in 2019, Woad's rise accelerated dramatically. Now, as a standout player for Florida State University, her list of accolades reads like a checklist of golfing excellence. Stacking Up the Accolades 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year 2023 WGCA Freshman of the Year 2024 FSU Female Athlete of the Year 2024 ACC Golfer of the Year 2024 Mark H. McCormack Medal By June 2024, she had reached the pinnacle of amateur golf, becoming the world's number one-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). Earlier that year, she also triumphed at the prestigious Augusta National Women's Amateur. Lottie has already proven her mettle on golf's biggest stages, competing in every major she's eligible for and securing a best finish of tied 10th at the 2024 AIG Women's Open. She's also been a vital part of team events like the 2023 Espirito Santo Trophy in Abu Dhabi and the 2025 Patsy Hankins Trophy, representing England and Europe with distinction. Her performance in Abu Dhabi was notable: fourth place in the three-player team event and tied fourth individually, finishing nine under par. Dominance on Irish Soil But it was in Ireland where Woad truly announced herself. Over 72 holes, she racked up 24 birdies against just three bogeys, finishing 21 under par to dominate a field packed with Solheim Cup stars, LPGA veterans, and LET winners. What stood out even more than the score was her calm, confident demeanour under pressure, a quality that sets the great apart from the good. Already a sought-after talent with a dedicated management team behind her, Lottie exemplifies the new wave of amateurs who are ready to compete and win at the highest professional level, sometimes even before officially turning pro. Asked about turning professional after her victory, Woad was measured: 'No, I'm not tempted to turn pro yet. I'm still trying to get my final two points for the LPGA. I'm trying to get those, and then we will see what happens after that.' Those 'two points' refer to the LPGA's Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP), where 20 points are required for full membership, a goal Lottie is steadily chasing. Respect From the Elite Praise from established pros only underlines her potential. Solheim Cup star Madelene Sagstrom, who played alongside Woad in the final round, said: 'It was Lottie's week; it was wonderful to watch her play. I played a bunch of golf with her. I'm really happy with her and she's going to take European and American golf by storm very soon.' The weeks ahead will test her further. Next up is the fourth major of the year in France, with a packed schedule of important tournaments looming. But whatever happens, Lottie Woad will never forget her first professional victory in Ireland, a milestone that feels like just the beginning of an exciting career. The large crowds, the pressure of victory celebrations, dealing with the media, sponsors, and the sea of young fans eager for autographs alongside top names like Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, Woad handled it all with grace beyond her years. It's a promising sign for the future of ladies' golf. We'll be watching closely as Lottie's journey continues. Good luck, Lottie - the golf world is ready for you.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Amateur Lottie Woad wins professional tournament at 2025 KPMG Women's Irish Open
The top-ranked amateur in the world rankings pulled off a runaway, six-shot victory at the KPMG Women's Irish Open on Sunday. Lottie Woad won her first Ladies European Tour title at Carton House in Kildare, Ireland, after shooting 68-67-67-69. She led by as many as seven shots Sunday. Woad, 21, was the low amateur at the U.S. Women's Open after finishing 10th earlier this season and because she is still an amateur, runner-up Madelene Sagstrom took home the first-place money. Amelia Harvey was third, eight back of Woad, while Charley Hull finished fourth. Advertisement "It felt pretty comfortable overall," said Woad. "There were a few moments at the start of the back nine that could've gone wrong but I hung in there and finished with some nice birdies. As soon as I birdied the second hole, holed a nice 12-footer there, it settled me in." Woad is the first non-pro to win on the LET since 2022 when Jana Melichova won the Czech Ladies Open. Woad is in the next LPGA major, the Amundi Evian Championship, which starts Thursday. This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Amateur Lottie Woad wins 2025 KPMG Women's Irish Open
Khaleej Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Ethan Fang conquers Amateur Championship in thrilling finale at Royal St George's
In a final that will be remembered for its sheer drama, 20-year-old Ethan Fang of the United States captured one of the most coveted titles in amateur golf - The 130th Amateur Championship. Set against the iconic backdrop of Royal St George's in England, this historic championship, first played in 1885 and run by The R&A, brought together the finest amateur talents from around the world. Out of 288 competitors representing 45 nations, it all came down to two players, one unforgettable duel, and 36 holes of relentless pressure. Fang, currently ranked No. 7 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), started as a favourite. But his opponent, Ireland's Gavin Tiernan, ranked 1,340th, refused to play to the script. The 19-year-old produced a masterclass in tenacity and shot-making, forcing Fang to dig deep. 'It feels great. Still doesn't feel real yet. But I'm sure it'll kick in, and I'll celebrate with my team,' said Fang moments after sinking the winning putt. The win does more than just cement Fang's legacy in amateur golf. It catapults the Oklahoma State University student into the global spotlight with automatic entries into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the US Open, and - in a dream come true for any golfer - a traditional invitation to The Masters. He'll also tee it up in the British Masters, hosted by Nick Faldo, on the DP World Tour. Two Young Stars, One Champion From the first tee shot to the final putt, this match was a seesaw battle filled with momentum shifts and clutch performances. Tiernan was the early aggressor, taking a one-up lead in the morning session with steady, composed golf. Despite battling nerves, Fang clawed back into the match with a conceded eagle on the 14th. But Tiernan responded quickly, regaining the lead before the lunch break with a brilliant tee shot on the par-3 16th that set up a birdie. The Irish talent never trailed in the first 18 holes, but the afternoon belonged to Fang. Emerging from lunch with renewed focus, the American made his move on the 23rd hole. Just as he pulled ahead, Tiernan responded again - this time with his own conceded eagle on the 25th. They turned onto the final nine holes locked all square, neither willing to blink. Then, Fang edged in front. Two holes up with just three to play, it seemed the title was within his grasp. But Tiernan, already a hero among the gathered fans, produced a stunning response by sinking back-to-back long-range birdie putts on the 34th and 35th holes to draw level once more. And so, with everything on the line, they walked to the 36th tee. Fang delivered two pure strikes to set up a nerveless five-foot birdie. Tiernan's own attempt narrowly missed. With thousands watching at the famous course, and countless more online, Fang calmly drained the winner. 'I was hitting it well all day, and I knew if I just stayed in it, some putts would drop, kind of have him work for it, and it ended up working out,' said Fang. 'I heard going into the week that an American hasn't won this championship in ten-plus years. Representing your flag, that's what it's all about, and I'm glad we did it for USA.' 'The Masters, The Open… I'm just glad it's all done now, and I can just take a second to think about everything I did this week and just kind of enjoy it. It's probably the most consistent golf I've played in my life. It's a super long championship, and it just feels really good to finally get it done.' A Star Among Legends Fang now joins an elite group of past champions, including Sir Michael Bonallack, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sergio Garcia, and Aldrich Potgieter. Dubai-based Garrick Porteous, who captured the title in 2013 and now works with ProSports International, also adds a local Middle East link to this storied list. Ethan Fang's triumph is more than just a personal milestone, t's a signal to the professional game that a new talent has arrived, battle-tested and ready to take on the sport's biggest stages. What's next for the newly crowned champion? A ticket to golf's grandest theatres, and a chance to turn amateur glory into global success.
