'It means a lot, ' says Lottie Woad after stunning six-shot victory in the Irish Open
The World Number One Amateur had rounds of 68, 67, 67 and 69, for a 72-hole total of 271, 21 under par in one of the strongest fields of the LET season to date, which included Solheim Cup players as well as LPGA and LET winners. 132 players started the week, with 69 players making the weekend cut, which fell at two over par.
She teed off the final round with a remarkable seven-shot lead and was never challenged as it became a back-nine procession for her first, of what is sure to be, many LET victories.
Her final round was, once again, the epitome of consistency, with a haul of six birdies and just two bogeys over the 6,337-yard, par 73 O'Meara Course layout.
'It means a lot to get the win,' said the modest and quietly spoken Woad, who won the Augusta Women's National Amateur in 2024 – she lets the clubs do the talking.
'Obviously, I had a big lead coming into today, but I still had to really focus as I was being chased by some really good players. I'm happy to get it done. It's perfect. I feel like I'm playing well, and I hope to continue that into Evian next week.
'As soon as I birdied the second hole with a nice 12-footer there, that settled me. I hit a lot of good shots, I didn't hole as many putts as the other days, but it was pretty stress-free in the end,' she added.
'It felt pretty comfortable overall. There were a few moments at the start of the back nine that could have gone wrong, but I managed to hang in there and finish with some nice birdies.
'I think either my shot into 17 or the shot into 16 to set up a birdie were the best ones because I wrapped it up from there, so that was nice,' Woad concluded.
Sweden's Madelene Sagström, a Solheim Cup star, ended the week in outright second place on 15 under-par after a final round of 68 (-5) in and took the first prize of €67,500, with Woad ineligible to take it as an amateur.
Other players of note in the field included: Charley Hull (Eng) - 280, Maha Haddioui (Mor) - 287, Georgia Hall (Eng) and Dubai-based Chiara Noja (Ger) both on 290 and Leona Maguire (Ire) on 292.
Next up for Woad and the LET is the fourth Major of the year with the $8 million Amundi Evian Championship taking place from July 10th – 13th at Evian Resort Golf Club, France.
Results (6,337 yards, Par 73).
L. Woad (Am) (Eng) 68. 67. 67. 69. 271.
M. Sagstrom (Swe) 68. 71. 70. 68. 277.
A. Garvey (NZ) 69. 70. 72. 67. 278.
C. Hull (Eng) 70. 69. 72. 69. 280.
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