Latest news with #LPGATour

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
England's Lottie Woad turns pro at age 21 and joins LPGA Tour
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Lottie Woad shot a final-round 64 to share third at the Evian Championship in France on July 13. MIAMI – England's Lottie Woad, coming off a victory at the Women's Irish Open and her best Major finish, said on July 15 that she has decided to turn professional and join the LPGA Tour. The 21-year-old from Farnham became the world amateur No. 1 in June and became the first amateur since 2022 to win a Ladies European Tour event when she captured the Irish crown by six strokes on July 6. On July 13, Woad shot a final-round 64 to share third at the Evian Championship in France, her best finish ever at a women's Major, setting the stage for her announcement on social media. Woad's Major result was enough to qualify her for an LPGA membership through the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) programme, becoming the first player to earn a spot that way. 'I am very excited to announce that I've decided to turn professional,' Woad posted on social media. 'I'm delighted to have secured a @LPGA card through the LEAP. I'm also happy to accept membership of the @LETgolf for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.' It did not take her long to decide to accept pro status. After the final round at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 13, she said she planned to ponder her future. 'Just going to use next week at home with family and coaches to kind of discuss the options and then I'll decide after that,' she said. 'I've always wanted to play on the LPGA,' she continued. 'Whenever that is, it's going to be really fun and I just look forward to playing all the events.' Woad is scheduled to make her professional debut at the Women's Scottish Open from July 24 to 27 at Dundonald Links, a berth she earned with her victory in Ireland. She is also set to play in the Women's British Open, the final Major of the year. It will be played from July 31 to Aug 3 at Royal Porthcawl in Wales. Woad shared 10th in the 2024 edition at St Andrews. Woad, whose triumphs include the 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur, had been playing for Florida State University. The Englishwoman will forego her senior season at Florida State. She holds the Seminoles' record for career stroke average at 70.42. Woad will have LPGA Tour status for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026, but a tour statement said the remainder of her LPGA schedule for this season remains uncertain. AFP, REUTERS

NBC Sports
17 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad turning professional after securing LPGA membership
Lottie Woad secured her LPGA card with a third place finish at the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship and discusses what her decision making processes for joining the tour is going forward. LONDON — Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad announced Tuesday she will turn professional, two days after nearly winning a major title. The 21-year-old Englishwoman followed her victory by six shots at the Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour on July 6 by finishing in third place — just one stroke off the pace — at the Amundi Evian Championship on Sunday. She didn't win any prize money at either tournament because she was amateur. However, her good finish at the Evian secured enough points to seal LPGA Tour membership through its Elite Amateur Pathway. It means she is ending her college career at Florida State University with one year left. 'I am very excited to announce that I have decided to turn professional,' she wrote on social media . ' I'm delighted to have secured a(n) LPGA card through the LEAP. 'I'm also happy to accept membership of the Ladies European Tour for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.' Woad is set to make her first start as a pro at the Women's Scottish Open next week. The AIG Women's Open, the final major of the year, is at Royal Porthcawl starting July 30.


Hamilton Spectator
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Lottie Woad joining pro ranks in women's golf after nearly winning Evian
LONDON (AP) — Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad announced Tuesday she will turn professional, two days after nearly winning a major title. The 21-year-old Englishwoman followed her victory by six shots at the Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour on July 6 by finishing in third place — just one stroke off the pace — at the Evian Championship on Sunday. She didn't win any prize money at either tournament because she was amateur. However, her good finish at the Evian secured enough points to seal LPGA Tour membership through its Elite Amateur Pathway. It means she is ditching her college career at Florida State University with one year left. 'I am very excited to announce that I have decided to turn professional,' she wrote on social media . ' I'm delighted to have secured a(n) LPGA card through the LEAP. 'I'm also happy to accept membership of the Ladies European Tour for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.' Woad is set to make her first start as a pro at the Women's Scottish Open next week. The British Women's Open, the final major of the year, is at Royal Porthcawl starting July 30. ___ AP golf:


Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lottie Woad joining pro ranks in women's golf after nearly winning Evian
LONDON (AP) — Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad announced Tuesday she will turn professional, two days after nearly winning a major title. The 21-year-old Englishwoman followed her victory by six shots at the Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour on July 6 by finishing in third place — just one stroke off the pace — at the Evian Championship on Sunday. She didn't win any prize money at either tournament because she was amateur. However, her good finish at the Evian secured enough points to seal LPGA Tour membership through its Elite Amateur Pathway. It means she is ditching her college career at Florida State University with one year left. 'I am very excited to announce that I have decided to turn professional,' she wrote on social media. ' I'm delighted to have secured a(n) LPGA card through the LEAP. 'I'm also happy to accept membership of the Ladies European Tour for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.' Woad is set to make her first start as a pro at the Women's Scottish Open next week. The British Women's Open, the final major of the year, is at Royal Porthcawl starting July 30. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP golf:
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lottie Woad joining pro ranks in women's golf after nearly winning Evian
FILE - Lottie Woad, of England, hits from the third tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Erin Hills, May 29, 2025, in Erin, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) Lottie Woad, of England, plays on the 4th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) Lottie Woad, of England, plays on the 4th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) FILE - Lottie Woad, of England, hits from the third tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Erin Hills, May 29, 2025, in Erin, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) Lottie Woad, of England, plays on the 4th hole during the last round of the Evian Championship women's golf tournament, in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) LONDON (AP) — Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad announced Tuesday she will turn professional, two days after nearly winning a major title. The 21-year-old Englishwoman followed her victory by six shots at the Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour on July 6 by finishing in third place — just one stroke off the pace — at the Evian Championship on Sunday. Advertisement She didn't win any prize money at either tournament because she was amateur. However, her good finish at the Evian secured enough points to seal LPGA Tour membership through its Elite Amateur Pathway. It means she is ditching her college career at Florida State University with one year left. 'I am very excited to announce that I have decided to turn professional,' she wrote on social media. " I'm delighted to have secured a(n) LPGA card through the LEAP. 'I'm also happy to accept membership of the Ladies European Tour for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.' Advertisement Woad is set to make her first start as a pro at the Women's Scottish Open next week. The British Women's Open, the final major of the year, is at Royal Porthcawl starting July 30. ___ AP golf: