Lottie Woad is set to return to the very course where she announced herself to the professional world last year, as she prepares to defend her title at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. The 22‑year‑old will once again tee off at Dundonald Links, the Scottish seaside layout that witnessed her stunning first‑tour triumph.
In the 2025 edition of the tournament, a youthful Woad entered the final round with a two‑stroke cushion, having led the field after three rounds. She fended off a determined challenge from South Korean star Hyo Joo Kim and a pack of seasoned competitors, ultimately sealing the championship.
That victory placed her in an elite group: only the third player in LPGA Tour history to capture a win on her very first professional start, joining Rose Zhang (2023) and Beverly Hanson (1951). Reflecting on that breakthrough ahead of this week’s defence, Woad admitted she hadn’t fully grasped the magnitude of the achievement at the time.
“I didn’t appreciate it then – it was my first event,” she told Sky Sports Golf. “Now, after a year of regular competition and rubbing shoulders with the best, it feels even more special.” She added that the atmosphere will feel different this year, with her family travelling to support her. “I’m thrilled to be back.
It’s a bit different from last year – I have my family here too. It should be a fun week.” Woad’s meteoric rise began to attract attention in May 2022 when she made her Ladies European Tour debut at the Madrid Open, finishing a respectable tenth. She then headed to 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 expand in April 2024 when she captured the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, vaulted to the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, and became the first Englishwoman to earn the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the world’s top amateur.
That same year she posted a tied‑10th finish at the AIG Women’s Open, and later, after a maiden LET victory at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, she narrowly missed making history as an amateur at the Amundi Evian Championship. Her Scottish Open win in 2025 was the crowning moment of that breakthrough season.
Since then, Woad has added further top‑10 finishes in majors to her résumé. She was eighth at the 2025 Women’s Open, seventh at the 2026 Chevron Championship, and held the halfway lead at the 2026 Evian Championship before slipping to a tied‑16th finish. In May 2026 she captured her second LPGA Tour title at the Kroger Queen City Championship, propelling her to fifth place in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings – an extraordinary position for someone so early in her career.
Speaking about the whirlwind of the past twelve months, Woad said, “It’s definitely been a long year. I’ve played a lot of golf and had a lot of new experiences.
I’ve learned a lot along the way. It feels great to come back to where it all started – my pro debut. I’m happy with my recent form.” She also reflected on a disappointing weekend at Evian, noting, “I didn’t get the result I wanted there, but I’m taking the lessons from it and continuing to play good golf while still learning.” During her 2025 Scottish Open victory, Woad was paired with world No. 1 Nelly Korda.
Sky Sports Golf’s Dame Laura Davies praised her composure, saying, “She’s not afraid to go head‑to‑head with the biggest names. She has every part of her game, and her results already suggest she has all the qualities to become a rock‑star of the future.” This year, Woad will again share the first two rounds with Korda and fellow competitor Hull, raising the stakes for her title defence.
Woad remains modest about the "rock‑star" label. When asked about Korda, who added a fourth major to her tally this season with wins at the Chevron and the U.S.
Women’s Open, Woad replied, “Every event she plays, she’s the main attraction. She’s No. 1 in the world. Last year we were together and drew a huge crowd.
Playing with her again this year, I expect the same energy. I just hope it goes as well as last year.” The ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from July 23‑26, offering fans a chance to watch Woad attempt to repeat history.
Whether she can replicate the magic of her debut win remains to be seen, but her journey from a promising amateur to a top‑five world‑ranked professional suggests she has the talent and determination to do so. For those interested in experiencing the tournament firsthand, tickets and streaming options are available through Sky Sports, with flexible plans that require no long‑term contract. Golf enthusiasts can also explore booking a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland via the provided online portal. As the week approaches, anticipation builds around the young English star who, just a year ago, stunned the golf world with a victory on her first professional start.
Now, with a family in the stands, a world‑class field, and the confidence of a seasoned winner, Lottie Woad is poised to write the next chapter of her remarkable story at Dundonald Links.