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 at TPC Boston. The English golfer, who is one of twelve players selected by Anna Nordqvist for Europe’s Solheim Cup roster, demonstrated why she is considered a rising star on the circuit. Woad’s round was anchored by a flawless front nine, where she recorded four birdies in a flawless 32‑stroke stretch before playing conservatively on the back nine, carding pars on every hole.
The 26‑year‑old, who turned professional just last year, has already amassed two LPGA victories, and her early surge in Boston placed her just four strokes behind the tournament leader, South Korea’s Sei Young Kim, who opened with a 64. Reflecting on her play, Woad explained that the front nine felt more comfortable: “I was hitting almost every fairway, and the rough out there can be brutal, so staying on the tee‑shots was crucial.
I managed to get close to the pins on several holes and was able to finish the front nine with easy tap‑ins.” She added that a couple of wayward tee shots on the back nine turned what could have been birdie opportunities into pars, and she intends to tighten up her driving accuracy tomorrow. Kim, who teed off later in the day, posted a spectacular 64, featuring six birdies and an eagle on the seventh hole, a par‑five. Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita both finished at seven‑under, while South Korea’s Somi Lee carded six‑under, ensuring that two Korean players occupied the top four positions. Woad’s 68 placed her in an eight‑way tie for fifth place, a solid showing that bodes well for her confidence heading into the Solheim Cup.
European teammate Charley Hull recorded a one‑under 71, and world number one Nelly Korda, who will lead the United States side captained by Angela Stanford, posted an even‑par 72. In a poignant moment, European captain Anna Nordqvist, who announced her retirement from professional competition just days earlier, opened her final tournament with a two‑over‑par round, marking the end of a distinguished career. The same day, the Ladies European Tour’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open, delayed by rain, saw a spectacular start from Casandra Alexander, who set a new course record with a 63, propelling her to a nine‑under lead.
Italy’s Alessandra Fanali had set the early benchmark with a 67 at The K Club’s Palmer South Course, but Alexander’s front‑nine birdie burst, followed by five more on the back, gave her a four‑stroke advantage. Trailing Alexander were England’s Lily May Humphreys, the Czech Republic’s Jana Melichova, and the Isle of Man’s Ana Dawson, all tied for second at five‑under alongside Fanali. Irish native Leona Maguire opened with a 71 (‑1), recording three birdies and two bogeys.
Woad’s performance is especially noteworthy given the proximity of the Solheim Cup, scheduled for September 11‑13 in the Netherlands and broadcast live on Sky Sports. Her ability to generate birdies early in a tournament suggests she can provide Europe with vital points in the team format. The Solheim Cup, a biennial showdown between the United States and Europe, often hinges on the depth and consistency of each side’s roster, and Woad’s recent form adds a valuable weapon to the European arsenal. Beyond the scores, the FM Championship continues to attract a global field, with players from Asia, Europe, and North America vying for ranking points and prize money.
The tournament’s setting at TPC Boston, known for its challenging layout and fast greens, tests every aspect of a golfer’s game—driving accuracy, iron play, short‑game finesse, and putting under pressure. Woad’s ability to navigate the thick rough and keep her ball in the fairways highlights her strategic approach and mental composure.
For fans eager to follow the action, Sky Sports offers live coverage of both the FM Championship and the KPMG Women’s Irish Open throughout the week. Viewers can also stream the events via NOW without a contract, ensuring flexible access to the latest leaderboard updates, highlights, and expert analysis. As the season progresses, performances like Woad’s will shape the narrative heading into the autumn’s marquee events, including the Solheim Cup and the final stretch of the LPGA Tour’s championship series.
In summary, Lottie Woad’s four‑under opening round at the FM Championship not only places her within striking distance of the leader but also serves as a confidence‑boosting statement ahead of the Solheim Cup. Her disciplined tee shots, precise iron play on the front nine, and willingness to learn from a few back‑nine missteps illustrate the qualities of a player ready to compete at the highest level.
With the European team looking to capitalize on her momentum, all eyes will be on Woad as she seeks to build on this promising start in the weeks to come.