Lottie Woad is set to return to the very course where she announced herself to the world of professional golf last season, as she prepares to defend her title at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. The 22‑year‑old’s breakthrough came in 2025, when, as a 21‑year‑old rookie, she entered the tournament at Dundonald Links with a two‑stroke lead heading into the final round. Despite intense pressure from South Korean star Hyo Joo Kim and a tightly packed chase pack, Woad held steady and clinched the championship, becoming only the third player in LPGA Tour history to win on her first professional start. The only others to achieve the feat were Rose Zhang in 2023 and Beverly Hanson back in 1951.
Ahead of her return, Woad reflected on that inaugural triumph, admitting that at the time she didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the moment. "I didn’t appreciate it then, it was my first event," she told Sky Sports Golf. "I didn’t know what to expect.
But after a year of weekly competition, playing alongside the same elite field and seeing just how good everyone is, it feels far more special now." The upcoming Scottish Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, and Woad says the atmosphere will be different this year because she will have her family in the stands. "Very excited to be back. It’s a little different to last year, I’ve got the family here as well.
It will be a fun week," she added. Woad’s meteoric rise began long before her professional debut. She first caught the public’s eye in May 2022 with a top‑ten finish at the Madrid Open on the Ladies European Tour, a performance that signalled her potential. She then enrolled at Florida State University, where she amassed a string of accolades: WGCA Freshman of the Year, Junior FSU Female Athlete of the Year, and ACC Golfer of the Year.
Her amateur résumé continued to swell in 2024 when she captured the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur title, ascended to the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, and earned the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the top amateur worldwide – the first English woman ever to do so. Her transition to the professional ranks was seamless.
In 2024 she posted a tied‑10th finish at the AIG Women’s Open while still an amateur, and later that year she secured her first Ladies European Tour victory at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open. A near‑historic run at the Amundi Evian Championship, where she narrowly missed becoming the first amateur winner, further underscored her readiness for the big stage. Since her Scottish Open win, Woad has added more high‑profile results to her record. She finished tied‑third at the 2025 Women’s Open, eighth at the 2025 edition, and seventh at the 2026 Chevron Championship.
Two weeks ago she led midway at the 2026 Evian Championship before slipping to a tied‑16th finish. In May 2026 she claimed her second LPGA Tour title at the Kroger Queen City Championship, propelling her to a remarkable fifth place in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings.
Reflecting on the whirlwind year, Woad said, "It’s definitely been a long year. I’ve played a lot of golf, had a lot of new experiences, and I’ve learned a great deal.
It’s nice to come back to where I guess it all started, my pro debut here. I’ve been happy with how I’ve been playing. At Evian, it wasn’t the weekend I wanted, but I’m trying to take what I can from that, still playing good golf but also learning too." During her debut victory, Woad was paired with world No. 1 Nelly Korda, a pairing that drew considerable attention.
Sky Sports Golf legend Dame Laura Davies praised the young Englishwoman, saying, "She’s not afraid to compete against the biggest names in the game. She has every part of her game, and her results already suggest she has all the qualities to become a rockstar of the future." This year, the narrative may repeat itself as Woad finds herself once again in the same early‑round grouping with Korda and fellow competitor Hull. While the media love to label her a "rock star," Woad remains modest about the moniker.
When asked about playing alongside Korda, who has added two more majors to her résumé this season, Woad responded, "I think every event she’s at, she’s the person everybody is coming to see. She’s No. 1 in the world.
Last year I was playing with her and we got a really big crowd. Playing with her again this year, I expect it to be the same. I hope it goes the same as last year." Fans can watch the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open live from July 23 to 26 on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available for those without a traditional contract. The tournament promises another chapter in Woad’s burgeoning career, as she aims to replicate the poise and precision that made her debut win so unforgettable.
Whether she defends successfully or faces new challenges, her presence at Dundonald Links underscores the rapid ascent of a talent that has already left an indelible mark on the sport.