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Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Golf scholars at Scottish university handed huge boost with new facility
Dean Robertson delighted with addition of Performance Golf Studio at Stirling campus Sign up to our Golf newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The University of Stirling's reputation for producing top-class golfers is set to be enhanced by a new state-of-the-art indoor golf studio on its campus. Including a Trackman simulator, the Golf Performance Studio has been funded through a grant from the Macleod Foundation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It will enable golf scholars to use data-driven insights to perfect their game as they bid to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Catriona Matthew, Richie Ramsay and Graeme Robertson. An external shot of the University of Stirling's new state-of-the-art Performance Golf Studio, located on the Stirling campus | Contributed 'The University of Stirling is one of the top destinations for golf scholars in the UK, with many of our alumni going on to compete in the professional game,' said Head of Golf Dean Robertson. 'Our Performance Golf Studio further elevates the excellent facilities we have here at Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and complements our existing coaching methods, delivered here at Stirling and out on course. Stirling scholars can 'reap the benefits' 'The technology allows our golfers to realistically simulate playing on some of the best courses in the world, while using data-driven insights to hone their technique. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are thankful to the Macleod Foundation for its ongoing support and look forward to seeing our scholars reap the benefits of the new facility in the coming months and years.' Located beside the Golf Pavilion on the campus, the new facility has two bays which combine radar and camera technology to provide a realistic and immersive experience. 'The Macleod Foundation has been a supporter of the University of Stirling golf programme for over 40 years, and we are delighted to be able to contribute to its continued success whether by supporting students directly or by assisting in capital projects such as this,' said Neal Hughes from the foundation. Dean Robertson, the University of Stirling's head of golf, with past programme member Louise Duncan and current scholar Ross Laird in the new state-of-the-art facilitiy | Conributed Other players to come through the University of Stirling programme include Louise Duncan, who created history along with Hannah Darling as the first Scots to play in the Augusta National Women's Amateur, and Lorna McClymont, a member of Great Britain & Ireland's winning team in last year's Curtis Cup at Sunningdale. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are delighted to launch our new Performance Golf Studio – a unique and important addition to our high-performance golf environment - as we seek to recruit, develop and nurture the next generation of golfing talent,' said Cathy Gallagher, the university's Executive Director of Sport.
NBC Sports
24-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Jasmine Koo off to 'speed jail,' but also strong start in Chevron low-am defense
When USC was announced Wednesday as the No. 2 seed for the NCAA Division I women's golf regional in Lexington, Kentucky, freshman Jasmine Koo texted her teammates and coaches in their group chat and said, 'We have to go to KFC.' That's Koo; you never know what's she's going to say. Before the Trojans feast on fried chicken, though, Koo is competing in her second straight Chevron Championship this week in The Woodlands, Texas, where last year at Carlton Woods, Koo was low amateur after tying for 13th. Just four players have been low amateur on multiple occasions at the Chevron Championship, which became an LPGA major in 1983: Vicki Goetze, Lorena Ochoa, Michelle Wie (three times) and most recently Ariya Jutanugarn. Koo opened Thursday with a 2-under 70 that included five birdies, just 28 putts and put Koo two shots out of a tie for third behind co-leaders Yan Liu and Haeran Ryu, who each stand at 7 under. 'My game felt really good today,' Koo said. 'There were some shots that I didn't really like, but overall, I stayed really patient.' Koo delivered one of the most improbable closing birdies at last year's Chevron, chunking a 5-wood off a floating advertisement in the middle of the lake at the par-5 18th hole and then watching her ball bounce onto dry land, just off the green. She went on to make the U.S. Curtis Cup team last year and has won three times so far during her freshman campaign for the Trojans, though she also has two T-46 finishes and her last three college starts. Koo said last year's performance at Carlton Woods showed her that she doesn't have to be perfect. 'I don't have to have my A+ game to perform out here,' Koo said. 'I think that's really helped me, because last year I was surprised with kind of like what the cut line score was, kind of how reachable the field was, and just like that realization made me more calm today. 'I wasn't as nervous, as rushed to get something going.' Having USC assistant Beth Wu out following her this week has helped improve Koo's comfort level as well. 'After a three putt she'll be like, 'When you come back, you'll be in speed jail, but it's OK. Just focus on the next hole,'' said Koo, noting a practice strategy at USC in which players must practice their putting speed until the coaches feel like they've done enough to get out of jail. 'That relieves the pressure and makes everything very happy.' Koo is one of eight amateurs competing this week. That list also includes world No. 1 Lottie Woad and recent ANWA champion Carla Bernat. High-schooler Gianna Clemente carded 71 on Thursday. CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP LOW AMATEURS Since 1983, when event became an LPGA major 2024 – Jasmine Koo 2023 – Eila Galitsky 2022 – Brooke Seay 2021 – None 2020 – Rose Zhang 2019 – Patty Tavatanakit 2018 – Jeeno Thitikul 2017 – Lucy Li 2016 – Albane Valenzuela, Hannah O'Sullivan 2015 – Haley Moore 2014 – Minjee Lee 2013 – Lydia Ko 2012 – Ariya Jutanugarn 2011 – Ariya Jutanugarn 2010 – Jennifer Song 2009 – Lexi Thompson, Tiffany Joh 2008 – Amanda Blumenherst 2007 – Stacy Lewis 2006 – Angela Park 2005 – Michelle Wie 2004 – Michelle Wie 2003 – Michelle Wie 2002 – Lorena Ochoa 2001 – Lorena Ochoa 2000 – Aree Song 1999 – Grace Park 1998 – Beth Bauer 1997 – Marisa Baena 1996 – None 1995 – None 1994 – None 1993 – Vicki Goetze 1992 – Amy Fruhwirth 1991 – Vicki Goetze 1990 – Katie Haley 1989 – Carol Semple Thompson 1988 – Caroline Keggi 1987 – Danielle Ammaccapane 1986 – Kim Williams 1985 – Deb Richard 1984 – Jody Anschutz, Joanne Pacillo 1983 – Kathy Guadagnino
NBC Sports
05-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
One wrong club and near misses cost Lottie Woad a chance at Augusta National Women's Am repeat
AUGUSTA, Ga. – What we remember in defeat here are the calamitous moments, the shots that are too bold and others too timid, the splashes and the trickles and the flubs. But Augusta National doesn't just test a player's power and touch and discipline. It's also a measure of stone-cold precision. So it was that Lottie Woad stood in the middle of the 10th fairway, eying up her approach into the downhill green as she tried to chase down another Augusta National Women's Amateur title. The 21-year-old Englishwoman has enjoyed a banner season, and it all began here a year ago. Though she was ranked No. 4 in the world, Woad lacked a significant title against the game's best at this level. That changed that magical day last April when she survived a few early stumbles to birdie three of the last four holes and win arguably the most prestigious women's amateur event in the world. Woad's life changed that day – more obligations, expectation, recognizability. But so, too, did her career. An ascension to world No. 1. Major starts. A victorious Curtis Cup appearance. And during her day job in college golf, with the latest class off to the pros, she was the new targeted player to beat. All she's done since is finish inside the top 3 in every event she's played for Florida State. 'This week is definitely different to last year,' Woad said earlier this week in Augusta, 'coming in with bigger expectations and stuff like that. But I'd be very proud of how I dealt with that if I could manage to win it.' As she learned last year in victory, Woad's opening round at Champions Retreat could set the tone for the week. She recorded an opening 65 to sit two shots back, then played solidly enough in Round 2 to grab a share of the 36-hole lead and earn her way back into the final group. An opening birdie Saturday helped give her a two-shot cushion, but it was clear from the outset she wasn't completely dialed. She bricked a short birdie putt on the second. She missed the green on the par-3 sixth and made bogey. And as she stepped into her shot on 10, she hadn't just been caught but passed by Spaniard Carla Bernat Escuder, a senior transfer at Kansas State who has enjoyed college success but lacked any big-game bona fides. Golf Channel Staff, On 10, Woad was between clubs, a 5- and 6-iron, and opted for more club into the wind to get all the way to the back hole location. That turned out to be a mistake. Taking a lower-lofted club off the downslope, her approach came in too flat, landing pin-high and without backspin, hopping over the back, rolling down the steep slope and coming to rest in a bush. 'I put a good swing on it, it was just the wrong club,' said Woad, who had her English team coach, Steve Robinson, on the bag. 'Then got in an unfortunate position, so probably was always going to make 6 from there.' The double bogey dropped her three shots back and in a need of a second-nine scramble. Of course, Woad knew from own experience it was possible – her final flourish last year included birdies on 15, 17 and 18 – and the leaderboard told a similar story, with four scores in the 60s already posted. 'At that point there was nothing to lose,' she said. 'Just said, 'Let's make some birdies,' and that was really it.' Sure enough, Woad began to mount a comeback. She lipped out an eagle chip on 13 and then stuffed her approach into 14 to pull within two shots of Bernat Escuder, but her final hour proved to be anticlimactic. Woad failed to get up-and-down from the bunker on 15 and settled for par, then one-armed her tee shot on 16 and made bogey to, officially, end her chances, much to the dismay of her cheering squad of coaches and Florida State teammates who followed along with every shot. 'I'm pretty frustrated,' Woad said afterward. 'Played decent tee to green, just didn't hole really any putts, and that's what it came down to in the end.' And there it was again, those margins, the thin lines between success and failure that, somehow, seem even thinner at Augusta. There were countless examples late. The bunker shot on 15 that repelled away from the flag instead of climbing the ridge. The shot from the sand on 16 that somehow stayed on the top shelf. The approach on 17 that was inches away from catching the slope and funneling toward the hole. It added up to a final-round 72, a solo-third finish and a disappointing slog up the hill to the patrons waiting around the 18th green. 'I think you learn every time you're in contention – it's just putting yourself in those positions, really,' she said. 'You can't win every time. The goal coming into it was just to be in contention. So got that, and, yeah, it was a pretty good defense in the end.' It just ended a few holes earlier than expected.
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Woad shares ANWA lead heading to Augusta finale
England's defending champion Lottie Woad holds a share of the lead going into the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 21-year-old, who is the world number one amateur, is trying to become the first player to win successive titles in the sixth staging of the prestigious event, which has the third round at Augusta National, home of the had three birdies and a bogey in a solid two-under-par 70 in the second round at the Champions Retreat improved her overall score to nine under par, and left her joint top with American Kiara Romero at the end of the leader Megha Ganne is in a three-way tie for second place on eight under after she shot a 73 to follow a 63 in the opening round. Among the group one shot further back is rising American star Asterisk Talley. The 16-year-old, who beat Woad in last year's Curtis Cup singles, shot a six-under tournament moves to Augusta National, home of the Masters, for the third and final round, which will be played on Saturday after a practice day on England's Patience Rhodes, Scotland's Hannah Darling and Ireland's Beth Coulter will not be playing, having missed the cut. Rhodes finished on four over and Darling three over after they both shot 72s, while Coulter's 77 left her on five missing the final round is last year's runner-up Bailey Shoemaker and Malaysia's Mirabel Ting, who is top of the American NCAA collegiate standings after winning six events in the past birdied three of the final four holes to beat American Shoemaker by one shot for the 2024 victory kick-started a stellar year which saw her compete in her first majors, finish as the top Briton at the Women's Open, help Great Britain and Ireland win the Curtis Cup and end it as the world's top-ranked amateur.
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
English amateur Woad starts Augusta title defence strongly
England's Lottie Woad sits two shots behind leader Megha Ganne in second after the opening round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA).Woad picked up eight birdies in a round of 65 to lay down an strong early 21-year-old won the ANWA title last year to kick-start a stellar 2024 - playing in her first majors, finishing as the top Briton at the Women's Open, helping to win the Curtis Cup and ending it as the world's top-ranked nine-under-par round of 63 set a new ANWA scoring record. The previous low at Champions Retreat Golf Club was a seven-under 65 by Rose Zhang in opening two rounds of the event take place at Champions Retreat, with the tournament moving to Augusta National for the final Hannah Darling ended the opening round in a tie for 55th following a three-over-par round, while Englishwoman Patience Rhodes is a shot further back in a tie for 61st.
