Lottie Woad, one of the great promises of world golf, has decided to make the leap to professionalism just two days after nearly winning the Amundi Evian Championship, the penultimate Major of the season. She announced it this Tuesday through her social media. It seemed to be an open secret, but she had to confirm it herself, and at the end of the Evian, she had left the door ajar.
The 21-year-old Brit becomes the first player to graduate through the new LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) programme. She needed a top 25 finish to secure the LPGA card and finished third, just one shot away from the playoff. She was on the verge of achieving a feat not seen since 1967 when Lacoste won the US Open as an amateur.
Lottie will make her professional debut next week at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, followed by the AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Porthcawl (Wales).
Woad will enter professionalism with a full card for the remainder of 2025 and the entire 2026 season. She will also join the Ladies European Tour, following her decisive victory at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open. Her amateur resume is impressive, with victories at Augusta National, Carnoustie, and Baltusrol, and a top-10 finish at the British Open at St. Andrews, reflecting her ability to perform on the big stages.
Although she starts from scratch in the CME points ranking, her short-term goal is to earn enough to enter the Asian tour and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. “I would love to win a tournament,” said Woad, who also has the Solheim Cup on her radar and has already spoken with the European captain, Anna Nordqvist.
After a short break, Woad will resume training this week at Farnham Golf Club, where she is an honorary member. According to Betth Ann Nichols, she will meet with her amateur caddie there for the last time before moving to a more professional structure. She will be represented by Excel Sports Management, an agency that also manages Lydia Ko, Rose Zhang, and Michelle Wie West.
Woad enters professionalism ranked 64th in the world rankings with a promising future ahead.
