Lottie Woad kicked off the final week of competition ahead of next month’s Solheim Cup with a remarkable four‑under‑par opening round at the FM Championship on the LPGA Tour. The English professional, who is one of the twelve players selected by Anna Nordqvist for Europe’s Solheim Cup squad heading to the Netherlands from September 11‑13, posted a 68 at TPC Boston on Thursday.
That score left her four strokes behind the leader, South Korea’s Sei Young Kim, who opened with a 64. Woad, who turned pro only last year, has already claimed two LPGA victories.
In her first round she carded all four of her birdies on the front nine, finishing that half in 32 strokes before making par on each of the remaining holes. "I generally played a bit better on the front nine," Woad explained. "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 few wayward tee shots on the back nine turned what could have been additional birdies into 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," she said, indicating she will look to tighten up her driving accuracy on day two.
The tournament’s early leaderboard was dominated by Asian players. Kim, who teed off from the tenth tee, posted six birdies and an eagle on the par‑five seventh, finishing at 64.
Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita each recorded a seven‑under‑par total, while South Korea’s Somi Lee was six under, giving the nation two spots inside the top four. Woad found herself in an eight‑way tie for fifth place, a solid showing for a player still establishing herself on the tour.
Among Woad’s teammates, Charley Hull, another Solheim Cup contender, carded a one‑under‑par 71. World No.
1 Nelly Korda, who will lead the United States side under captain Angela Stanford, posted an even‑par 72. European captain Anna Nordqvist, who surprised the golf world by announcing her retirement from professional competition on Wednesday, opened her final tour event with a two‑over‑par round, marking an emotional swan song. While the FM Championship unfolded in Boston, the Ladies European Tour was battling rain at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
On that front, Casandra Alexander delivered a stunning start, firing a course‑record 63 to sit at nine under par. She achieved this by shooting four birdies on the front nine and five more on the back, four strokes better than Italy’s Alessandra Fanali, who led after the first round with a 67 at The K Club’s Palmer South Course.
England’s Lily May Humphreys, the Czech Republic’s Jana Melichova, and the Isle of Man’s Ana Dawson were all tied for second place at five under, just behind Fanali. Irish native Leona Maguire opened with a 71, one under par, after recording three birdies and two bogeys. The Irish Open and the FM Championship will continue to be broadcast live on Sky Sports throughout the week, with additional streaming options available on Sky Sports+ and NOW without a contract. Looking ahead, Woad’s performance provides a confidence boost as she prepares for the Solheim Cup.
Her ability to string together birdies early in a round, especially on the front nine where fairway accuracy is paramount, suggests she can be a reliable point‑getter for Europe. The Solheim Cup, a biennial match‑play competition between Europe and the United States, will be contested at the Dutch venue of The Dutch, and the European team will rely heavily on players like Woad who can deliver low scores under pressure. Beyond the immediate results, Woad’s round highlights several strategic lessons for aspiring golfers. First, controlling the tee shots on courses with thick rough can dramatically improve scoring opportunities.
Second, capitalising on par‑5 holes by reaching the green in regulation can turn modest birdie chances into easy tap‑ins, as Woad demonstrated. Finally, maintaining composure after a strong start is essential; she acknowledged the need to tighten up her back‑nine play, a mindset that will serve her well in longer tournaments.
The FM Championship continues through the week, with a full field of international talent vying for the title. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, catch highlights on the LPGA’s official website, and stay updated with the latest leaderboard changes. As the Solheim Cup draws nearer, each round of play offers a glimpse into the form and confidence of the players who will represent Europe and the United States on one of golf’s biggest stages.