Jenny Shin managed to scrape a win at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, clinching her first LPGA Tour triumph in ten years, while England’s defending champion Lottie Woad settled for a tie for 37th as the tour prepares for next week’s AIG Women’s Open. The South Korean star finished the tournament at nine under par, two strokes ahead of fellow Korean A‑Lim Kim, despite a late‑round stumble that saw her card a three‑over 75 after bogeying two of her last three holes on Sunday. Shin entered the final round with a comfortable five‑stroke lead over Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn, but the pressure of closing out a title after a decade forced her to dig deep.
A brief spell of three consecutive bogeys beginning on the sixth hole threatened to unravel her round, yet she recovered with vital birdies on holes 10 and 12. Those two under‑par swings proved decisive, especially as Kim posted a strong four‑under 68 that ultimately wasn’t enough to catch the leader at Dundonald Links. Shin’s emotional reaction after the putt reflected the magnitude of the achievement. Her previous victory came at the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout in May 2016, making her the first woman in three decades to endure a full ten‑year gap between LPGA wins.
She explained, "My first title didn’t really feel like a win at the time. I didn’t feel like I deserved it. It felt very accidental.
But this one definitely feels a lot different, feels like I earned it. I worked hard for it." Lottie Woad, who captured her maiden professional title in Ayrshire last year after an impressive amateur win at the Women’s Irish Open, finished the week with a one‑over 73, bringing her total to seven over par.
A disastrous six‑over 78 on Saturday had already put her on the back foot, and the final round could not fully recover the lost ground. Charley Hull, another notable name on the leaderboard, opened with a 78 and ultimately landed in a tie for 44th after posting a 74 on Sunday, ending the tournament at ten over par. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Leona Maguire secured a top‑10 finish, carding a one‑under 70 in the final round to move into the red and finish just ahead of the highest‑placed British player, Alice Hewson, who posted a three‑over round and settled in a shared 19th place.
Reigning Women’s Open champion Miyu Yamashita, who edged out compatriot Minami Katsu and England’s Hull by two strokes at Royal Porthcawl in 2025, recorded a solid three‑under 68 in Scotland, tying for fifth and positioning herself well ahead of her title defence at Royal Lytham & St Annes. World No. 1 Nelly Korda, fresh off victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open, will be looking to add a third major this season. She finished tied‑16th at the Scottish Open, posting a three‑under 69 on Sunday – her best round of the week – to close with a two‑over total.
Her performance suggests she will be a strong contender when the field reconvenes at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The other double‑major winner of the year, Ha Ran Ryu, who claimed both the Women’s PGA and the Evian Championship, did not travel to Scotland, leaving the spotlight on the players who did. Fans can watch the 2026 AIG Women’s Open live on Sky Sports from Thursday through Sunday, with coverage kicking off at 9 a.m.
each day on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event. The tournament will also be streamed via NOW for those who prefer online viewing. Beyond the headline names, the Scottish Open provided a vivid snapshot of the depth and international flavor of women’s golf.
Players from across Asia, Europe, and North America battled the challenging links conditions at Dundonald, where wind, firm fairways, and fast greens tested every facet of their game. The event also highlighted emerging talent, such as Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn, who, despite finishing behind Shin, demonstrated poise and skill that suggest she could become a regular contender on the tour. The tournament’s narrative was not just about victories and scores; it also underscored the mental resilience required to compete at the highest level.
Shin’s ability to rebound from late‑round bogeys, Woad’s determination after a tough Saturday, and Korda’s steady climb back to form after a modest finish all illustrate the psychological battles that run parallel to the physical demands of the sport. Looking ahead, the upcoming Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes promises to be a showcase of skill, strategy, and endurance. The historic links course, known for its deep bunkers and undulating terrain, will reward precise ball‑striking and strategic course management. Players who excelled in Scotland will aim to translate their confidence into success on the new challenge, while others will seek to adjust their tactics to the unique demands of Lytham.
For golf enthusiasts planning a round of their own, now is an excellent time to explore the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. Booking platforms offer competitive rates, and many venues provide the chance to experience the same type of terrain that professional players navigate during major championships.
In summary, Jenny Shin’s decade‑long wait for another LPGA win ended in a dramatic, hard‑fought victory at the Scottish Open, setting the stage for an exciting showdown at the AIG Women’s Open. With a field that includes seasoned champions, rising stars, and a mix of international talent, the upcoming major is poised to deliver memorable moments, compelling storylines, and, perhaps, the emergence of a new dominant force in women’s golf.