Lottie Woad announced an impressive beginning to the final week of competition before next month’s Solheim Cup by posting a four‑under‑par 68 in the opening round of the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship. The English professional, who is one of twelve players selected by Anna Nordqvist for Europe’s squad heading to the Netherlands for the September 11‑13 showdown on Sky Sports, posted her 68 at TPC Boston on Thursday, leaving her just four strokes behind the leader, South Korea’s Sei Young Kim. Woad, who turned professional only last year, has already claimed two LPGA victories and demonstrated her scoring ability by making all four of her birdies on the front nine, finishing that half‑way stretch in 32 strokes.
She then played conservatively on the back nine, carding pars on each remaining hole. "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." She added that a couple of missed tee shots on the back nine turned potential birdie opportunities into simple pars: "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." Her comments highlighted the importance of accuracy off the tee, especially on a course where the rough can quickly penalize wayward drives. The tournament’s early leaderboard was dominated by Kim, who started her round from the tenth tee and 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 each finished at seven‑under, while South Korea’s Somi Lee was six‑under, ensuring that two Koreans occupied the top four spots. Woad found herself in an eight‑way tie for fifth place, a solid position that keeps her in contention as the event progresses. Other notable performances included Solheim Cup teammate Charley Hull, who carded a one‑under 71, and world number one Nelly Korda, the leader of the United States team captained by Angela Stanford, who posted an even‑par 72. European captain Anna Nordqvist, who surprised the golf world on Wednesday by announcing her retirement from professional play after this week’s events, opened her final tournament round with a two‑over‑par score.
In parallel news on the Ladies European Tour, the rain‑soaked KPMG Women’s Irish Open saw a remarkable start from Casandra Alexander, who shot a course‑record 63 to lead the field at nine‑under. After Italy’s Alessandra Fanali set the early pace with a 67 at The K Club’s Palmer South Course, Alexander’s 63 was four strokes better, thanks to four birdies on the front nine and five on the back. England’s Lily May Humphreys, the Czech Republic’s Jana Melichova, and the Isle of Man’s Ana Dawson all tied for second place with Fanali at five‑under.
Ireland’s own Leona Maguire opened with a 71 (‑1), recording 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 coverage on Sky Sports+ starting Friday at 2 p.m.
Golf fans can also stream the action without a contract via NOW, taking advantage of the latest Sky Sports deals. As the tournament moves forward, Woad will look to convert her solid opening round into a lower total, aiming to climb the leaderboard and build momentum heading into the Solheim Cup, where Europe hopes to challenge the United States for the coveted trophy. Beyond the immediate scores, Woad’s performance underscores a broader narrative about the rising depth of European women’s golf. Her ability to navigate the demanding TPC Boston layout—hitting fairways, managing thick rough, and capitalizing on short‑game opportunities—reflects the rigorous preparation and mental resilience required at the highest level.
The upcoming Solheim Cup will provide a stage for her and her teammates to showcase that preparation, with each player’s individual form contributing to the collective goal of securing a European victory on Dutch soil. For viewers, the combination of live tournament action, expert analysis, and behind‑the‑scenes features promises an engaging week of golf.
Whether watching the drama unfold on the fairways of Boston or following the rain‑slicked greens of the Irish Open, fans can expect a blend of skill, strategy, and the occasional surprise—just as demonstrated by Anna Nordqvist’s unexpected retirement announcement, which added an emotional layer to the competition. As the rounds progress, keep an eye on the leaderboard, the evolving storylines, and the performances of players like Lottie Woad, who are poised to make a lasting impact on the sport.