Latest news with #HarryColt
Rhyl Journal
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Lottie Woad under no extra pressure at Women's Open after first professional win
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. She's here… 👀 Fresh off her first professional win, Lottie Woad has arrived at Royal Porthcawl 🏴 — AIG Women's Open (@AIGWomensOpen) July 28, 2025 '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.'
Leader Live
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Lottie Woad under no extra pressure at Women's Open after first professional win
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. She's here… 👀 Fresh off her first professional win, Lottie Woad has arrived at Royal Porthcawl 🏴 — AIG Women's Open (@AIGWomensOpen) July 28, 2025 '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
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Lottie Woad under no extra pressure at Women's Open after first professional win
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. She's here… 👀 Fresh off her first professional win, Lottie Woad has arrived at Royal Porthcawl 🏴 — AIG Women's Open (@AIGWomensOpen) July 28, 2025 '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.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Lottie Woad under no extra pressure at Women's Open after first professional win
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. She's here… 👀 Fresh off her first professional win, Lottie Woad has arrived at Royal Porthcawl 🏴 — AIG Women's Open (@AIGWomensOpen) July 28, 2025 '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.'
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Telegraph
I played Calamity Corner and survived – this is why pros fear the 16th at Royal Portrush
It has been variously described as a 'beast', a 'card-wrecker' and '236 yards of pure terror'. So by the time I reach the 16th hole at Royal Portrush, better known as 'Calamity Corner', on a blustery day back in April, I am resigned to my fate. The wind is into my face and slightly off the left. The sky is dark. Ahead of me lies a yawning chasm of dense-looking rough. I already know what is going to happen. My playing partners – who have watched me spray the ball around the Dunluce links all day – already know what is going to happen. But there is nothing else for it. With the advice of my handy Strokesaver course guide ringing in my ears ('Aim for the left side of the green, take plenty of club and say your prayers!') I clutch my driver tightly, and swing… The yawning chasm Signature holes on the Open rota tend to have evocative names. The Postage Stamp at Royal Troon (named for its tiny landing area), the Maiden at Royal St George's (because of the shape of a huge greenside dune which reminded the club's founder of the Jungfrau summit in the Swiss Alps), the Road Hole at St Andrews (for obvious reasons). Calamity Corner is not so subtle. It does what it says on the tin. Well, in certain conditions it does. If the weather is benign, Calamity Corner is 'just' a long par-three. But if the wind gets up, those 236 yards will feel like a long way, even for the bigger hitters. And it does tend to get up. Calamity Corner is the highest point on the famous Harry Colt-designed course. The sight that greets players arriving on its tee box is certainly not a reassuring one. A yawning chasm stands between player and green, which is approached to the left via a raised path. Anything short or to the right and you are liable to find yourself 50 feet below the hole in heavy rough. 'I think every competitor would quite happily take a three in each round,' concedes Gary McNeill, who has been the head professional here for 28 years. 'It's a hole where if you get it wrong you can easily run up a double-bogey or worse, particularly if the player pushes it out to the right and doesn't make the carry across. 'The ball has a tendency to bounce and make its way right down to the base of that chasm and then you're at the mercy of what lie you get down there and you're trying to play a shot up a very steep bank to a blind target.' Tyrrell Hatton found himself in exactly that pickle when his tee shot tumbled into the chasm during his second round in 2019. The Englishman's next two attempts advanced his ball a total of two inches. Hatton ended up escaping with a double bogey (thanks to an excellent long putt) but was not a happy bunny afterwards. 'I don't think it's a good hole,' he said sniffily. 'It's maybe a bit too harsh if you can't actually move the golf ball when you're seven yards right of the edge of the green.' The trick, of course, is to make sure you don't go in there in the first place. When Portrush first hosted the Open in 1951, Bobby Locke, the legendary South African who won the Open four times, took one look at the hole, which was the 14th hole back then, and made the decision to play to the left on all four days. By landing in a bowl-shaped dip on the left, he was able to escape with a par on each occasion. That dip is now called 'Locke's Hollow'. But that is easier said than done. In 2019, when the Open was last held at Portrush, just 41 per cent of players hit the 16th green in regulation – among the top-three lowest success rates on the course that week. Even if you do find the green, putting is no picnic. If the wind is up, the putting surface, which is 39 yards deep and set diagonally from front left to back right, can be treacherous. Rory McIlroy four-putted here en route to missing the cut in 2019. Overall in 2019, Calamity Corner was the third-hardest hole on the course, playing 0.25 shots over par. In round four, that rose to 0.37 strokes over par. Rory would pay good money for my score So how did my experience of playing Calamity Corner pan out? Better than expected actually. Some might snigger at my use of a driver (no, we were not playing off the Championship tees, but it was still over 200 yards off the whites and, as I say, it was into a headwind!) but it worked for me. Aiming my tee shot about 30 yards left of the green, cunningly taking my 'natural fade' into account, my ball somehow ends up just off the front-left edge, about 20 yards from the pin, and I manage to two-putt for a far-from-calamitous par. I may have lost a dozen balls over the course of the day, but I console myself that Rory would pay good money for that score on 16 come Sunday evening. Fourth: Fred Daly's 📍 482 yards 🏌️ Par four My favourite hole at Royal Portrush. Two bunkers on the left almost force you to play to the right centre of the fairway. A well-positioned drive sets up a medium iron to a green that is set among three to four very high dunes. The putting surface is quite flat and two good swings will get you inside 20 feet and present a welcome birdie chance. Fifth: White Rocks 📍 374 yards 🏌️ Par four This is drivable, although if the wind is against, only the long guys will get there. There are a couple of new bunkers just short of the green that will make the tee shot a little more difficult, but the big thing is that if the pin is at the back, on the second tier, it is about 20 feet from out-of-bounds. Risk and reward at its best. 18th: Babington's 📍 474 yards 🏌️ Par four With the two holes introduced for the Open in 2019, the final par four is the old 16th and it fits in really well. It is a dog-leg right, but from the back tee you cannot cut the corner. There is OB left but anything hit to the safe side down the right half of the fairway leaves a very tough angle into the green. It is a great finishing hole and the grandstand is just so cool.
