Lottie Woad, the 21-year-old amateur sensation, has drawn high praise from the sport’s leading figures after winning the Scottish Open on her professional debut. Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, and defending champion Lydia Ko are among those hailing the English golfer as a ‘breath of fresh air’ ahead of this week’s Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl.
Woad’s recent run includes victory at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year, the Irish Open, and a strong challenge at the Evian Championship while still an amateur. Her first professional start at the Scottish Open ended with her lifting the trophy on Sunday, cementing her status as one of the most talked-about players in the game.
“I think what Lottie Woad has done is absolutely unbelievable,” said Charley Hull. “She’s playing with such confidence she can’t miss a shot. It’s great to see. She’s a breath of fresh air for the game.” Hull, who has been battling illness and a back injury, admitted her own preparations have been far from ideal.
World No.1 Nelly Korda added: “I was very impressed with her composure, her process. She stuck to her routine every single time. One of the main things I noticed is how mature she is for her age and how comfortable she was in the heat of the moment.” Lydia Ko, who will play alongside Woad in the marquee grouping for the first two rounds, noted that her coach had even sent her a video of Woad’s swing for inspiration.
Woad, who honed her game at Florida State University and is managed by the same agency as Tiger Woods, remains unfazed by the attention. “I don’t feel too different,” she said. “I got a lot of confidence from the last month. There’s always pressure, but I don’t think there’s any more than before. I still want to contend.”
With her unflustered demeanour and impressive results, many expect Woad to be in contention at Royal Porthcawl. The R&A has increased the prize fund for the Women’s Open, reflecting the growing stature of the event.
