Lottie Woad kicked off the final week of competition ahead of next month’s Solheim Cup with a remarkable performance, posting a four‑under‑par 68 in the opening round of the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship. The English golfer, one of twelve players selected by European captain Anna Nordqvist for the Solheim Cup squad bound for the Netherlands from September 11‑13, demonstrated why she earned her place on the team by staying just four strokes behind the leader, Korea’s Sei Young Kim, after Thursday’s round at TPC Boston.
Woad, who turned professional only a year ago and has already captured two LPGA victories, opened the tournament with a flawless front nine. She carded four birdies in her first nine holes, finishing that segment in 32 strokes, and then played the back nine at even par to complete the round. "I generally played a bit better on the front nine," Woad reflected. "I hit pretty much every fairway.
The rough is pretty thick out there, so you need to hit the fairways. I hit some pretty close shots on some holes and then did well on the par‑5s getting on greens, so just kind of had tap‑ins on the front nine." Her comments also hinted at areas for improvement. "Just a couple tee shots on the back nine that missed the fairway kind of made them par holes rather than birdie holes, so just try and clean up that tomorrow," she added, indicating that a tighter tee‑shot accuracy could convert more pars into birdies as the tournament progresses.
The tournament’s early leaderboard was dominated by Korean talent. Sei Young Kim, who teed off on the tenth hole, posted an outstanding 64, featuring six birdies and an eagle on the seventh hole, a par‑five. Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita were tied at seven‑under, while fellow Korean Somi Lee sat at six‑under, securing two Korean players inside the top four.
Woad found herself in an eight‑way tie for fifth place, a solid showing for a rookie with a burgeoning career. Her Solheim Cup teammate Charley Hull recorded a one‑under 71, and world number one Nelly Korda, the U.S. captain’s leading player, posted an even‑par 72, underscoring the high level of competition across both sides of the Atlantic. In a surprising turn of events, European captain Anna Nordqvist announced on Wednesday that she would retire from professional competition after this week’s events.
She opened her final tournament at two‑over‑par, a modest score that contrasted sharply with her storied career, but she remains a pivotal figure for the European squad as they prepare for the Solheim Cup. Elsewhere on the women’s golf circuit, the Ladies European Tour’s rain‑soaked KPMG Women’s Irish Open saw a dramatic start. Casandra Alexander unleashed a sensational round of 63, a course‑record low that vaulted her to a nine‑under lead.
The performance came after Italy’s Alessandra Fanali set the early benchmark with a 67 at The K Club’s Palmer South Course. Alexander’s front nine featured four birdies, and she added five more on the back nine to achieve the historic score.
Trailing Alexander, England’s Lily May Humphreys, the Czech Republic’s Jana Melichova, and the Isle of Man’s Ana Dawson were tied for second place with Fanali at five‑under, while Ireland’s own Leona Maguire opened with a respectable 71 (‑1), carding three birdies and two bogeys. The FM Championship and the Irish Open will continue to be broadcast live throughout the week on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available via Sky Sports+ and the NOW platform, which offers contract‑free viewing. Golf enthusiasts can follow the evolving leaderboard, watch the drama unfold on the greens, and keep track of the players’ preparations for the upcoming Solheim Cup, a marquee event that pits Europe against the United States in a biennial showdown of skill and national pride. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how Woad builds on her strong start.
Her ability to consistently find fairways, especially on the challenging front nine where the rough can be unforgiving, will be crucial. Maintaining that precision while improving her tee shots on the back nine could see her climb the leaderboard and possibly contend for the title. Moreover, her performance will serve as a confidence boost heading into the Solheim Cup, where she will join seasoned veterans and emerging talents to represent Europe on one of golf’s biggest stages.
Fans can expect further exciting rounds, potential shifts in the leaderboard, and the inevitable drama that accompanies professional golf. Whether you’re tracking the scores on a TV screen, streaming online, or following live updates, the FM Championship promises to deliver high‑quality competition and a glimpse into the form of players who will soon battle for Solheim Cup glory.