Lottie Woad signed the second-best round of the day in her first round as a professional. She shot 67 and placed second, just one shot off the lead at the ISPS Handa Scottish Women’s Open. All this happened yesterday, but it must have seemed little to her, as this Friday, in her second day of paid work, she shot 65, the best score of the day, and has already taken charge. The 21-year-old Englishwoman continues to amaze the world.
She took her time to get the round going, as if she was taking a breather. She strung together four pars to start, without missing a shot, sending an early warning of what was to come. Specifically, a tsunami of golf. She finished her first nine holes, starting on the 10th, with three birdies, hitting all the greens and missing only one fairway on the 16th hole… and not by much.
The machinery was already well-oiled, and she picked up four more birdies from the 3rd to the 9th. Here she was a bit more imperfect from tee to green, yet she achieved more successes. It’s just an example that Woad is very good in both tough and easy situations. She doesn’t need everything to go smoothly, which is even more impressive. She has the skill to recover, like on the 1st hole when the situation was uphill. She is very complete and, above all, has a privileged mind. At least, that’s what she’s showing so far. She’s in a hurry and not willing to wait for anyone.
The British player has taken the lead in this tournament co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour being held at Dundonald Golf Links. She has a two-shot lead over Nanna Madsen (-10) and Nelly Korda (-10). The World Number One has realised that she either steps on the gas or loses sight of Lottie. The American shot 66 with only one bad moment on holes 17 and 18. On the first, she saved par, but on the second, she couldn’t.
Three shots behind Woad is Sei Young Kim (-9), and in fifth place is Hyo Joo Kim (-8). They are all heavyweight players, winners on the LPGA, with Solheim Cup experience, some major champions… Anyone might think that Woad’s legs will shake in the next 36 holes, but on the other hand, it’s worth remembering that she comes from winning in Ireland by six shots and finishing third at the Evian. Betting against her seems unwise… A good indication that an earthquake has just hit women’s golf worldwide is that she is 12 shots ahead of what has been the great diva of English golf: Charlie Hull (PAR). However, her throne is in danger.
As for the Spanish players, Nuria Iturrioz (-6) has held on in the leading pack. A round of 71, eighth position. It’s true that Woad has pulled away, but she’s still fully in the fight for one of the spots in next week’s AIG Women’s Open. The Balearic player had a very eventful round today in Dundonald, with an eagle, three birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey.
The other Spanish player who made the cut and hasn’t said her last word is Julia López (-3). She’s in the Top 10 after delivering a score of 71, like Nuria, with a lot of movement. She made five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey. Today she left a lot on the par 5s, her specialty due to her enormous hitting power. She signed a +2 partial. Too much concession to the rest.
The other Spanish players missed the cut, which closed at +1: Azahara Muñoz (+4), Luna Sobrón (+4), Fátima Fernández Cano (+6), María Hernández (+8), and Marta Martín (+8).
Beyond the Spanish players, the missed cut by Michelle Laffar, leader after the first day who delivered a card of 82 today, stands out, as well as Mimi Rhodes, the Number One in the LET ranking.
