Latest news with #KPMGIrishOpen
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
21-year-old amateur cruises to victory at Women's Irish Open
English amateur Lottie Woad, 21, secured a six-shot victory at the KPMG Women's Irish Open, finishing on 21 under par. Her win marks the first time in three years that a non-professional has claimed a title on the Ladies European Tour. Woad, who is the world No 1 in amateur rankings, maintained a significant lead throughout the final round. Despite her success, Woad has stated she is not tempted to turn professional at this time. Her immediate goal is to secure the remaining points needed for LPGA Tour membership.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Amateur No.1 Woad takes the Irish Open by six shots
English amateur Lottie Woad has become the first non-professional to win on the Ladies European Tour in three years as she claimed the title at the KPMG Women's Irish Open. The 21-year-old, who is world No.1 in the amateur rankings, showcased her quality with a six-shot victory at Carton House, finishing on 21 under. She became the first amateur to win on the women's tour since 2022, when Jana Melichova won the Czech Ladies Open. Despite Woad's success, she is not tempted to turn professional as she closes in on an LPGA Tour membership. "No, I'm not tempted to turn pro yet," she said on the Ladies European Tour website. "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." Woad came into the final round with a seven-shot lead and fired five birdies and one bogey in a four-under-par 69. Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom finished second on 15 under, one shot ahead of Amelia Garvey of New Zealand. England's Charley Hull was fourth on 12 under. Four players were two shots further back with Australia's Kirsten Rudgeley, Fatima Fernandez Cano (Spain), Hannah Screen (England) and Chiara Tamburlini (Switzerland) all tied fifth on 10-under.
Irish Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
England's Lottie Woad extends lead at Women's Irish Open
Destiny is calling Lottie Woad to great things, with surely a career on the LPGA Tour and Solheim Cups and Majors all in her future. For the here and now, the 21-year-old Englishwoman – the world amateur number one for more than a year – took another step towards claiming the KPMG Women's Irish Open with a third round 67 for a 54-holes total of 17-under-par 202. Woad now holds a seven-stroke lead over Sweden's Madelene Magstrom. Woad has been sensational throughout the tournament, one of the most prestigious events on the Ladies European Tour, and has separated herself from a class field that featured no fewer than five of last year's European Solheim Cup players. A third round of six birdies and no dropped shots – which brought her birdies tally to 18 through the first three days with just one bogey – saw Woad, who started the day three clear, move further ahead in aiming to add to her growing reputation which has seen her win the Augusta National Amateur Championship, Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy. READ MORE While Woad – playing in the tournament on an invite – tightened her control on the title, there was also a significant move from LET rookie Anna Foster as the Dubliner signed for a 67 for seven-under-par 212 to move up to tied-ninth. Anna Foster during the third round of the Women's Irish Open at Carton House on Saturday. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Foster, who finished tied-fourth in last week's Amundi German Masters, had a more adventurous 67 than Woad's, featuring nine birdies, a double-bogey and a bogey. The 23-year-old from Elm Park finished strongly with four birdies in her closing six holes. 'I just played really solid all day, and gave myself a lot of chances. I played the Par 5s really well (birdieing all five of them), so that definitely gives you the upper hand, I guess. 'I was driving well and a long way today, that definitely gave me a little bit of an advantage on some holes. It just felt like it was just solid day in general,' said Foster, who is currently 31st on the LET order of merit in what is proving to be a fine start to her life on tour. 'I've just been able to stay patient throughout the year,' Foster added of her move into the paid ranks. 'I felt like I've been playing well for a good few weeks, just waiting for it all to click. And last week I found that it just kind of clicked. So definitely gave me a bit of confidence going into this week.' Leona Maguire moved into the top-30 with a third round 70 for two-under-par 217 while Elm Park amateur Emma Fleming signed for a 73 for level par 219 and Canice Screen shot a 76 for 224.
Irish Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Leona Maguire factor clear for all to see as 15 home-based players join her at Irish Open
The sprinkling of stardust at the KPMG Irish Open grows heavier. It is fair to say the tournament – which last year was acclaimed as the best on the Ladies European Tour (LET) – punches above its weight. This latest edition again has Leona Maguire as the headline act, with a supporting cast including Solheim Cup players and Major winners. Anna Nordqvist, Charley Hull, Madelene Sagstrom and Georgia Hall are among those Solheim Cup teammates of Maguire's providing star appeal. Lottie Woad, the world amateur number one, is playing on a sponsor's invitation in the tournament, which has a €450,000 purse. The O'Meara Course at Carton House, Co Kildare , is a worthy setting. Of the 132 players in the field, a record 16 – seven professional and nine amateurs – are Irish. It is, in many ways, a reflection of Maguire's pioneering impact. She has created history by becoming the first Irish player to win on the LPGA Tour and also on the LET. Now, a queue of players are keen to follow in her footsteps. READ MORE So far, an Irish Open has proven beyond Maguire's reach. 'It's always one of my favourite events of the year,' said Maguire. 'I feel like I have some good momentum heading into this week.' She is back on home soil after a stretch of events in the United States that, after a rough few weeks, brought improvements with back-to-back top-20s in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Dow Championship. Those encouraging performances came after four missed cuts, but the 30-year-old Cavan woman wasn't letting the bad run get on top of her. 'I wasn't very concerned; I knew I'd been playing well,' she said. 'The LPGA [Tour] is very competitive. It's probably the most competitive it's ever been. And I felt like I actually played some good golf and just wasn't quite showing up as a scorecard, just tiny little things. It wasn't any major issue. 'That's the nice thing with golf. It's sometimes not as far away as you think it is, or it looks like from the outside. No matter if it's going well or not going well, you kind of have to stick to the same process, same routines. Trusting that the team behind the scenes have planned everything out, that we're working on the right things, are working in the right direction, even if the results sometimes don't quite click as fast as you'd like.' The days of Maguire appearing to carry the entire weight of home expectations into this tournament have passed. The arrival of Lauren Walsh, Anna Foster, Sara Byrne and Annabel Wilson into the professional ranks has helped grow interest in the sport. All of them are performing strongly on the LET after also emerging through the US collegiate ranks and Golf Ireland team programmes. Anna Foster tunes up for the Irish Open at the O'Meara course, Carton House. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho Byrne was a standout Curtis Cup player on last year's winning Great Britain and Ireland team against the United States before winning her LET card at Q-School. She has been named in one of the marquee groups for the opening two rounds alongside English duo Hull and Hall. Foster, the 23-year-old Dubliner, comes in on the back of a career-best fourth-place finish in the German Masters. She identified her ball-striking as a strength in her aim to make an impact with the benefit of home support. She said: 'In general, I'd say ball striking, being able to get it in play and find fairways and greens . . . that would be my strongest point. I can always fall back on that. Since turning pro I've been trying to work on my short game a lot and working on my mental game – probably the most important at this level. Everyone is really good at golf, at the same high standard. It is finding these tiny things each week that might give you an edge.' Walsh, of all, is the player probably most familiar with the O'Meara course as she is the touring professional at Carton House and will also have strong Kildare support from her home club Castlewarden. The seven Irish professionals competing are Maguire, Walsh, Foster, Byrne, Wilson, Canice Screene and Olivia Mehaffey. The nine Irish amateurs are Beth Coulter, Áine Donegan, Olivia Costello, Anna Dawson, Emma Fleming, Rebekah Gardner, Róisín Scanlon, Anna Abom and Marina Joyce Moreno.
Irish Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Different Strokes: Foster continues seamless slide into the pro ranks
Perfect timing, if the truth be known, as Anna Foster's fourth-place finish in the Amundi German Masters has enabled the 23-year-old Dubliner to carry momentum into this week's KPMG Irish Women's Open at Carton House in Maynooth, Co Kildare. After a stellar amateur career which included victory in last year's Irish Women's Open Strokeplay and standout collegiate performances stateside with Auburn University which earned her All-American recognition, Foster's move into the professional ranks has proven rather seamless after earning her Ladies European Tour card through qualifying school. Foster's travels have already taken her to Australia, South Korea, South Africa, Morocco and various European destinations in her new life on tour, where she is currently 31st on the LET order of merit. In her rookie season, she has performed strongly and will be able to enjoy some home comforts this week, as she bids to keep her form going as part of a 16-strong Irish contingent at Carton House. REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLY Pinergy Brand Ambassador And Professional LET Golfer Anna Foster Ahead Of This Year's KPMG Women's Irish Open 30/6/2025 Pictured is Pinergy brand ambassador and Professional LET Golfer Anna Foster ahead of this year's KPMG Women's Irish Open. Pinergy is proud to stand alongside Foster in a partnership that is a testament to their shared values of ambition and progress, reflecting how Pinergy helps customers take control of their energy future, just as Anna is now powerfully charting her own course in professional golf. Keep an eye across Pinergy's social channels to watch Anna Own The Moment as she prepares for this year's Open. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady Although she looked up to Shane Lowry when younger, Foster – who has been signed up by Pinergy as a brand ambassador – remarked: 'I was in Portrush when Shane won the Open. But I am trying to write my own story and not try to compare myself to others.' READ MORE So far, the script is looking good, with that fourth-place finish in Germany providing a level of comfort in kicking on. 'I always knew I could play at this level,' said Foster of finding her feet so quickly on the LET. 'You play with girls in amateur and college golf who you might not think are that impressive, and they go and play on LPGA or LET. It's a sport where there are ups and downs all the time, so you just know when you can play well or not play well. That's the beauty of it in one way, and also the annoying part. 'This year I was just trying to find my feet and get comfortable on tour, not putting any pressure on myself results-wise. To just enjoy myself has been the main thing and let the golf come from that . . . . (fourth in Germany) gives me the freedom and a bit of confidence to go out and allow myself to think that I can win. 'It wouldn't be at the front of my mind, I'm trying to take every shot as it comes, but I have more freedom , order of merit-wise, so I can go out and try do my best for the next few weeks. It's exciting. It is a good place to be in. If someone had said to me at the start of the year that I'd be in this position now, I would have taken it.' With that sense of perfect timing, Foster – guaranteed good support from family and her Elm Club members – will look to take momentum into the KPMG Irish Women's Open. Word of Mouth COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO - JUNE 29: Padraig Harrington of Ireland and Stewart Cink of the United States walk to the 15th tee during the final round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship 2025 at Broadmoor Golf Club on June 29, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Photo by) 'He's the ultimate competitor and a quality individual. I have the highest respect for his game and for him as a person. Even though he's a peer, he's a guy I've always also looked up to because I've played with him so much and I admire the way he . . . he kind of treats golf the way I want to treat golf myself. He's in the present. He never gives up. He's always got a good attitude. That's the hallmark of a high quality player for a long time, and that's what he is' – Stewart Cink on Pádraig Harrington, after losing out to the Irishman in the US Senior Open in Colorado. By the Numbers: 18 The Final Qualifying for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush takes place at four links courses – in England and Scotland – where 288 players will compete today for a minimum of 20 spots (five at each venue). There are 18 Irish players competing in the 36-hole qualifiers: 11 at Dundonald Links – Rowan Lester, Brendan McCarroll, Gavin Tiernan, Michael McGeady, Dermot McElroy, Keith Shannon, Liam Nolan, Ruaidhrí McGee, Finlay Eager, Caolan Rafferty and John Murphy; one at Royal Cinques Port – Graeme McDowell; one at Burnham & Berrow – Niall Kearney; and five at West Lancashire – Conor Purcell, Paul McBride, Alex Maguire, Thomas Abom and Ronan Mullarney. On this day: July 1st, 1990 Philip Walton entered the professional ranks after an honour-laden amateur career which included two Walker Cup appearances, but the Malahide man's bid for a breakthrough title on the European Tour took time to deliver. PARIS - JULY 1: Philip Walton of Ireland lifts up the trophy after winning the Peugeot French Open held on July 1, 1990 at the Chantilly G.C. in Paris, France. (Photo by) Having turned pro in 1983, the wait – some seven years later – came in rather spectacular style when the Dubliner defeated Bernhard Langer at the second tie hole of sudden death in the Peugeot French Open at Chantilly. Walton had finished in the top 100 of the European Tour order of merit each year after turning professional but found a win hard to come by, until deliverance came in the French Open where carded rounds of 73-66-67-69 for a total of five-under-par 275 to tie Langer and then sealed the deal in the playoff. It gave Walton a first of three career wins on the circuit. Social Swing Tough old week but solid enough and we don't expect or want anything else from a @usga Senior Open. Congratulations @padraig_h. Royal Portrush next. Can't wait – Darren Clarke confirming he'll be teeing up on home turf at the 153rd Open in a fortnight. Every trophy. Every triumph. It's all earned. Congrats to @padraig_h who trusted his NEW 2025 Pro V1 to bring home his second US Senior Open title. #1ballingolf – Titleist bigging up their man Pádraig for his US Senior Open win. Little trip to Portrush to check it out before — Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) Little trip to Portrush to check it out before @TheOpen. Course is looking great and everything ready for a big week – Shane Lowry back in Ireland for the first time since Christmas and taking in a reconnaissance visit to the scene of his claret jug win in 2019. Know the Rules Q In stroke play, a player removes an out-of-bounds stake which interferes with their swing. What is the ruling? A The player gets two penalty strokes unless they replace the stake to eliminate any improvement and restore the original conditions. (Definition of Boundary Object, Rule 81.a and Rule 8.1c: a boundary object cannot be moved to improve the conditions affecting the stroke. However, the player can avoid penalty by replacing the stake to eliminate any improvement and restore the original conditions.) In the Bag Pádraig Harrington - US Senior Open COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO - JUNE 29: Padraig Harrington of Ireland hoists the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy after winning the U.S. Senior Open Championship 2025 at Broadmoor Golf Club on June 29, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Photo by) Driver – Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees) 3-wood – TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees) 5-wood – TaylorMade Stealth (18 degrees) Irons – Wilson Staff Model Tour RB Utility (4), Wilson Staff Model CB Forged (5-PW) Wedges – Wilson Staff Model (52, 58 and 64 degrees) Putter – Odyssey White Hot 2-ball Ball – Titleist ProvV1
