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 squad, demonstrated why she is considered a rising star on the tour. Woad’s round was highlighted by a flawless front nine, where she recorded four birdies in a seamless 32‑stroke stretch before playing steady, even golf on the back nine to finish at 68.
Her score placed her just four strokes behind the leader, South Korea’s Sei Young Kim, who opened with a blistering 64 that included six birdies and an eagle on the seventh hole. Despite the gap, Woad’s early positioning in an eight‑way tie for fifth signaled that she could be a key contributor when the European team meets the United States in the Solheim Cup later this September.
The 24‑year‑old, who turned professional only last year, has already secured two LPGA victories, and her confidence was evident throughout the round. “I generally played a bit better on the front nine,” Woad explained after finishing. “I hit pretty much every fairway. The rough out there is quite thick, so staying on the tee‑boxes is essential.
I managed some very close approach shots and got onto the greens on the par‑fives, which gave me easy tap‑ins on the front nine.” Her comments also hinted at the areas she hopes to improve. On the back nine, a couple of tee shots missed the fairway, turning potential birdie opportunities into pars. “I’ll try to clean that up tomorrow,” she added, underscoring her determination to fine‑tune every aspect of her game as the tournament progresses.
The FM Championship, broadcast live on Sky Sports, continues to attract attention not only for the on‑course drama but also for the broader narrative surrounding the upcoming Solheim Cup. The European team, captained by Nordqvist, will travel to the Netherlands for the September 11‑13 showdown, a match that pits the best female golfers from Europe against their American counterparts. Nordqvist herself made a poignant appearance in the tournament, announcing her retirement from professional play after this week’s event. She opened her final tour round with a modest two‑over‑par 74, a quiet end to a distinguished career that will soon shift to a leadership role.
Other notable performances in the FM Championship’s opening round included Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, both finishing at seven‑under, and South Korea’s Somi Lee at six‑under, solidifying a strong Korean presence near the top of the leaderboard. Charley Hull, another European Solheim Cup teammate, posted a one‑under‑par 71, while world number one Nelly Korda, who will lead the United States side under captain Angela Stanford, carded an even‑par 72. In parallel news, 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, putting her nine strokes under par and into the lead.
Alexander’s round was a masterclass in aggressive yet precise golf, featuring four birdies on the front nine and five more on the back. She out‑shot Italy’s Alessandra Fanali, who had opened with a solid 67 at The K Club’s Palmer South Course. The leaderboard also featured England’s Lily May Humphreys, 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 posted a respectable 71 (‑1), highlighted by three birdies and two bogeys.
The FM Championship and the Irish Open will continue to be streamed live throughout the week on Sky Sports, with additional coverage on Sky Sports+ starting Friday at 2 p.m. Viewers can also access the action via NOW’s contract‑free streaming service, ensuring that fans worldwide can follow the drama as it unfolds. Looking ahead, Woad’s solid opening round sets a promising tone for her Solheim Cup campaign.
Her ability to combine accurate driving, precise iron play, and composure under pressure bodes well for the team event, where every birdie can swing momentum. As the tournament moves into its second day, she will aim to convert those missed fairways on the back nine into scoring opportunities, hoping to climb the leaderboard and build confidence before the high‑stakes matches in September. The FM Championship remains a key testing ground for the Solheim Cup hopefuls, offering a glimpse of form, fitness, and mental toughness. With the likes of Kim, Pedersen, Yamashita, and Hull already showcasing strong play, the competition promises to be fierce.
For European fans, Woad’s performance is a reminder that the team possesses depth and talent beyond the established stars, and her progress will be watched closely as the Solheim Cup draws nearer. In summary, Lottie Woad’s four‑under‑par 68 at TPC Boston not only positions her well within the FM Championship but also signals her readiness to contribute meaningfully to Europe’s Solheim Cup ambitions. Her front‑nine brilliance, coupled with a clear plan to tighten up her back‑nine game, illustrates the blend of skill and strategic thinking required at the highest levels of women’s golf.
As the weeks unfold, both the FM Championship and the KPMG Women’s Irish Open will continue to deliver compelling storylines, with Woad’s journey standing out as a highlight for fans and analysts alike.