Latest news with #ISPSHANDAWomen'sScottishOpen
Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Anna Foster wins qualifying spot for AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl
The Dubliner (23) was one of 17 players to come through Final Qualifying at nearby Pyle & Kenfig, carding a three under 68 to finish a shot behind leading qualifier Anna Hung (16) of Canada. 'The 4am alarm this morning was definitely something else!' said Foster, who is enjoying an impressive rookie season on the Ladies European Tour. 'But once I saw the draw, I was really pleased that I was out first, with the fresh greens and the calmer conditions. 'I was delighted to be able to take advantage of playing early and do the simple things effectively, like playing the par-5s well.' Foster went off in the first group at 6:45am and qualified in joint second with Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol. 'I was first reserve for the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open last week but didn't get in,' added Foster, who is 28th in the LET's Order of Merit. 'I drove down from there on Friday and got to play here at Pyle & Kenfig on Saturday and Sunday, so that definitely helped. 'I played in the AIG Women's Open in 2023 at Walton Heath, and it was quite an overwhelming experience as an amateur, but now I feel I have more confidence in myself.' Amateurs Aine Donegan and Beth Coulter shot a two-over 73s to share 45th in the 107-strong field and miss out by three strokes. Olivia Mehaffey shot 74, Annabel Wilson a 75 and Sara Byrne a 78 to finish further down the field.
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Why it's too early to get giddy about new Scottish Golf Women and Girls Strategy
Sign up to our daily 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... After the distinct feeling of giddiness in the Ayrshire air earlier in the week, it was a timely reminder that an ambitious bid by Scottish Golf to help deliver success in the women's professional ranks and also grow the women and girls' game in the sport's birthplace will not happen overnight. On the back of a new Women and Girls Strategy being announced by the governing body on the eve of the $2 million ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, it would have been perfect if a home player had been up on the leaderboard along with the likes of Lottie Woad and Nelly Korda over the weekend in the LET and LPGA co-sanctioned event. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sean Connery's sons Stephane, left, and Jason, right, pictured with Lorna McClymont and Hannah Darling at the launch of the new Scottish Women's Professional Transition Programme | Nick Mailer Photography | Nick Mailer Photography Even better if it had been Hannah Darling or Lorna McClymont, the first two players to benefit from an exciting new partnership with the Sean Connery Foundation to support Scotland's top female amateurs as they move into the professional ranks. Alas, Darling and McClymont missed the cut along with Kelsey MacDonald and Kylie Henry while Gemma Dryburgh had to dig deep to be involved in the final two rounds. It was disappointing effort from the home hopefuls, but, at the same time, underlined the task facing the likes of Darling and McClymont as they bid to make headway in their new careers. In fairness, Dryburgh has shown what is achievable on the global stage, having overcome a rude awakening to life on the LPGA to become a winner on the top circuit in the women's game, as well as playing in the Solheim Cup. Given that, it's pretty sad, really, that she doesn't have a sponsor on either her bag or hat at the moment when she is flying the Saltire on the game's biggest stages in the US in particular but also in the Far East. Compared, of course, to Darling and McClymont, Dryburgh has a bit of experience under her belt. This was Darling's professional debut while McClymont is just halfway through her rookie season in the paid ranks. For both, this was a first major appearance and, though obviously exciting, the fact it was on home soil created additional pressure. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Yes, of course, it would have been gutting for both Darling and McClymont that they made early exits, but it's by no means the end of the world. This was about gaining experience more than anything else and what matters most is that they feel better prepared when a similar opportunity comes round again. The immediate aim for both will be to make their presence felt on the LET Access Series and, in fairness, McClymont has not only looked comfortable on that stage but the LET and Sunshine Ladies' Tour as well after handling her first Q-School test really well at the end of last year. Darling aims to visit both the LPGA and LET Q-Schools later this year and there can be no denying that the Sean Connery Foundation support should allow her to concentrate on playing golf, something she's shown she is very good at since first picking up a club around a decade ago. Yes, that new Women and Girls Strategy should be welcomed, with the aim to have 38,000 female golf club members in Scotland by 2035, as well as raising the female workforce - paid and voluntary - at clubs to 30 per cent by the same time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hannah Darling missed the cut on her pro debut while Curtis Cup team-mate Lottie Woad lifted the title in the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links | Getty Images However, as last week illustrated, it might prove a tad tougher to get those role models at the top echelons of the game - competing against the likes of Woad and Korda, for instance - to inspire those newcomers and let's not forget that Catriona Matthew's incredible achievements on the global stage seemed to go unnoticed by lots of people at the time. Woad's win at Dundonald Links on her professional debut, coupled with her other incredible exploits over the past couple of years, will certainly have inspired a new generation of girl golfers in England and here's hoping the Scottish kids who were there last week will also feel equally energised. It was certainly a treat for them to see Korda, the world No 1, teeing up in the event for the first time and, once again, it was a cracking tournament at a venue that has become a perfect fit for this event and also in terms of the test it provides as an AIG Women's Open warm up. It also happens to have one of the best clubhouses in Scotland! Two big weeks ahead for Scottish male professionals If the odd eyebrow was raised about just six home players teeing up in the Genesis Scottish Open earlier in the month, then here's hoping the same people recognise the opportunities being teed up for players flying the Saltire over the next two weeks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Recent D+REAL Czech Challenge winner David Law leads a 22-strong home contingent into battle in this week's Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A at Schloss Roxburghe near Kelso | Getty Images A total of 22 players are in the field for the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A, which is taking place this week at Schloss Roxburghe in the Borders. Recent HotelPlanner Tour winner David Law spearheads the Caledonian contingent along with Daniel Young and Euan Walker, with spots also having been secured by both Tartan Pro Tour and Tartan Tour players. Oh, and amateurs, too, with Connor Graham teeing up in the event along with his big brother, Gregor. Then, in next week's Nexo Championship, a DP World Tour event, a 14-strong Scottish contingent will be heading into battle at Trump International Golf Links at Menie Estate near Aberdeen. Connor Syme and Calum Hill, both winners on the main tour this season, will be aiming to shine on home soil along with Ewen Ferguson, Grant Forrest, Richie Ramsay and Scott Jamieson, while it is great to see Martin Laird, a four-time PGA Tour winner, committing to his first appearance in Scotland since 2018. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Lottie Woad wins ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open
ENGLAND'S Lottie Woad lived up to her billing as one of golf's brightest new stars by winning the US$2 million ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, in her first start as a professional and as an LPGA Tour member. Woad fought off a back nine challenge from Korean Hyo Joo Kim at Dundonald Links on Sunday to triumph by three shots with a total of 21-under-par 267 (67, 65, 67, 68), matching the 72-hole tournament scoring record set by Japan's Ayaka Furue in 2022. The win was Woad's first on the LPGA Tour and second on the Ladies European Tour, following her six-shot victory at the KPMG Women's Irish Open as an amateur earlier this month. 'Very special to win in my first event. Everyone was chasing me today, and I managed to maintain the lead and played really nicely down the stretch, and hit a lot of good shots,' said Woad, 21. Woad turned professional following her joint third place finish at The Amundi Evian Championship two weeks ago, having earned LPGA Tour membership through the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) by attaining the minimum 20 points. Heading into the final round, Woad had a two-shot lead over Korean Sei Young Kim and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen with Hyo a shot further back. It was Hyo who emerged as the main challenger, making back-to-back birdies on Holes 10 and 11 to tie Woad on 19-under-par. However, the English player responded imperiously with her own pair of birdies at 13 and 14. When Hyo dropped a shot at the par-three 15th, Woad led by three shots and looked to be in cruise mode. A bogey at the par-four 16th after missing the green failed to derail Woad's title charge, and she sealed the win with a grandstand birdie at the par-five 18th after dialling in a wedge to two feet of the pin. 'I felt pretty good going down 18 because I knew I had a two-shot lead and just hit an 80-yard layup and an 80-yard shot. It's always nice to finish with a birdie,' noted Woad, whose first professional paycheque was worth US$300,000. Chasing her eighth LPGA title and second of the year, Hyo was undone by the bogey at 15 and another at the next hole. Her closing 68 for an 18-under-par 270 total sealed outright second place by a comfortable four-shot margin over Kim (73) and Spanish rookie Julia Lopez Ramirez who closed with a superb 65. Woad is just the third player to win in their first start as an LPGA Tour member, joining Korean Jin Young Ko (2018) and American Beverly Hanson (1951). She is the ninth player to win in their first professional start in an official LPGA Tour event since 1980, and the first since Rose Zhang at the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open. Woad is the eighth Rolex First-Time Winner of the 2025 LPGA Tour season, which has now seen 20 different winners. The world's top lady golfers will now head to Wales for the final Major of the 2025 season, the AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl where New Zealand's Lydia Ko will seek to defend the title.
The Star
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Golf: England's Lottie Woad wins ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open in her first start as a professional
TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 27: Lottie Woad of England poses with the trophy following victory of the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open following the final round of the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open 2025 at Dundonald Links Golf Course on July 27, 2025 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by) AYRSHIRE, Scotland: England's Lottie Woad lived up to her billing as one of golf's brightest new stars by winning the US$2 million ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, in her first start as a professionaland as an LPGA Tour member. Woad fought off a back nine challenge from Korean Hyo Joo Kim at Dundonald Links on Sunday to triumph by three shots with a total of 21-under-par 267 (67, 65, 67, 68), matching the 72-hole tournament scoring record set by Japan's Ayaka Furue in 2022. The win was Woad's first on the LPGA Tour and second on the Ladies European Tour, following her six-shot victory at the KPMG Women's Irish Open as an amateur earlier this month. 'Very special to win in my first event. Everyone was chasing me today, and I managed to maintain the lead and played really nicely down the stretch, and hit a lot of good shots,' said Woad, 21. Woad turned professional following her joint third place finish at The Amundi Evian Championship two weeks ago, having earned LPGA Tour membership through the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) by attaining the minimum 20 points. Heading into the final round, Woad had a two-shot lead over Korean Sei Young Kim and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen with Hyo a shot further back. It was Hyo who emerged as the main challenger, making back-to-back birdies on Holes 10 and 11 to tie Woad on 19-under-par. However, the English player responded imperiously with her own pair of birdies at 13 and 14. When Hyo dropped a shot at the par-three 15th, Woad led by three shots and looked to be in cruise mode. A bogey at the par-four 16th after missing the green failed to derail Woad's title charge, and she sealed the win with a grandstand birdie at the par-five 18th after dialling in a wedge to two feet of the pin. 'I felt pretty good going down 18 because I knew I had a two-shot lead and just hit an 80-yard lay-up and an 80-yard shot. It's always nice to finish with a birdie,' noted Woad, whose first professional paycheque was worth US$300,000. Chasing her eighth LPGA title and second of the year, Hyo was undone by the bogey at 15 and another at the next hole. Her closing 68 for an 18-under-par 270 total sealed outright second place by a comfortable four-shot margin over Kim (73) and Spanish rookie Julia Lopez Ramirez who closed with a superb 65. Woad is just the third player to win in their first start as an LPGA Tour member, joining Korean Jin Young Ko (2018) and American Beverly Hanson (1951). She is the ninth player to win in their first professional start in an official LPGA Tour event since 1980, and the first since Rose Zhang at the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open. Woad is the eighth Rolex First-Time Winner of the 2025 LPGA Tour season, which has now seen 20 different winners. The world's top lady golfers will now head to Wales for the final Major of the 2025 season, the AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl where New Zealand's Lydia Ko will seek to defend the title. - LPGA
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lottie Woad Sends Powerful Five-Word Message Ahead Of Women's Open
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Lottie Woad has been living on cloud nine so far this July, with two wins and a top-five finish in as many professional events. However, such successes haven't caused her to lose focus, and she plans to continue building on her momentum. In fact, minutes after winning the Women's Scottish Open in her professional debut, Woad stated that she'll be "trying to win the Open" next week at Royal Porthcawl. The message is nothing but a powerful warning to all her colleagues heading to Wales to compete in the AIG Women's Open. After what she has shown in recent weeks, the Englishwoman will be one of the favorites to win the final major title of the season, even though she has just turned professional. "Even if I hadn't won this week, I would still be trying to win the Open next week," Woad told BBC after winning at Dundonald Links. "It's still a learning curve getting used to the attention." Lottie Woad of England smiles during the presentation ceremony as she celebrates victory of the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open following the final round of the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open 2025 at Dundonald Links... Lottie Woad of England smiles during the presentation ceremony as she celebrates victory of the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open following the final round of the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open 2025 at Dundonald Links Golf Course on July 27, 2025 in Troon, Scotland. MoreWoad won the Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour in early July, still playing as an amateur, and then tied for third at the Amundi Evian Championship. Two weeks later, she won her first professional tournament at Dundonald Links. "It (winning) is a pretty good outcome, I guess!" she said, according to Sky Sports. "I definitely wasn't expecting to win my first event, but knew I was playing well. I was just hoping to contend and played really solid today. It was pretty nice in the end, being able to lay up on the par five." "This is my first time playing links golf since the AIG Women's Open last year. I wasn't exactly sure how it would go but it went fine!" The lack of links course play hasn't been a problem for Woad. Not only did she just win at Dundonald, but a year ago she finished tied for 10th in the Women's Open, played on the iconic Old Course at St. Andrews. Lottie Woad is victorious in her FIRST professional start at the Women's Scottish Open! 👏🏆 — Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 27, 2025 That was the first of two top-10 finishes she has earned in seven starts at major championships, and the first of her three Low Amateur awards at events at that level. This year she added the US Women's Open (T31) and the Amundi Evian Championship (T3). To date, only one female player has won a major championship in her first year as a professional. Canadian Sandra Post began her pro career in 1968, winning the Women's PGA Championship that year. Catherine Lacoste deserves special mention. A year before Post's feat, she became the first (and so far only) female amateur to win a major championship, taking the US Women's Open title. More Golf: Akshay Bhatia Keeps It Real On Ryder Cup Hopes While Co-Leading 3M Open
