Lottie Woad to turn pro after missing out on £500k in last two weeks
England's amateur sensation almost became the first player in the non-paid ranks to win a major in almost 60 years. Woad, the 21-year-old from Surrey, shot a brilliant 64 at the French course overlooking Lake Geneva to finish on 13-under and missed a play-off eventually won by Australian Grace Kim by a single shot.
It was a stunning performance by the golfer who Karen Stupples, the former Women's Open champion, told Telegraph Sport earlier this year 'is the best UK prospect since Rory McIlroy '. If Woad had already signed the forms to turn professional, she would have received a life-changing cheque for finishing in a tie for third. On the back of her victory at the recent Irish Women's Open, it means her amateur status has cost nigh on £500,000 in July alone.
Little wonder, therefore, that insiders insist she will jump before the Women's Scottish Open takes place in a fortnight, with Royal Porthcawl hosting the Women's Open the following week. Woad claimed after her heroics in the fourth of the female's majors that she will make up her mind in the forthcoming days, but sources are adamant that the switch is a formality.
Woad only waited after her Ireland success because she required just two more points to qualify for a full US Tour card in the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway programme and so would not have to endure Q-School at the end of this season. As the amateur world No 1 who won the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2024, it was only a matter of time before the Florida State University student accumulated enough credits in LEAP to join the likes of Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko and countrywoman Charley Hull on the premier circuit.
Woad is on the books of Excel Sports, the heavyweight US agency that oversees the careers of Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, Justin Thomas and Michelle Wie, and it is understood that there are already lucrative sponsorships in place.
'I'm going to discuss it with my family and coaches,' she said. 'It has always been in my dreams to play on the LPGA Tour and I'm grateful for the opportunities of the programme. I'm very excited for the future.'
Woad will head to the South Wales coast for the Women's Open as one of the favourites to prevail. Certainly, she will not be overwhelmed by the challenge and after the last few weeks, why should she? 'I was trying to be in contention and winning this, so it will be the same there,' Woad said.
Kim's first major success came courtesy of two eagles at the par-five 18th in three attempts. In regulation, the 24-year-old hit her approach to 18 inches to force the shoot-out with world No 2 Jeeno Thitikul. And when the players returned to the same hole, chipped in for a birdie from a prohibitive position to ensure the contest against the Thai stayed alive.
All it took then was for Kim to hole a 12-footer for another three on that closing hole to grab the glory. 'I don't know what just happened,' Kim, the world No 99, said. 'I couldn't breathe on that last putt – I could barely see. My caddie told me it was straight and I just did what he said. Yeah, it just all happened so quickly.'
McIlroy second at Scottish Open
At the Scottish Open, there was another world No 2 outshot by an outsider when Rory McIlroy finished second to the world No 158, Chris Gotterup.
The pair went out in the final round at the Renaissance Club sharing the lead, but although McIlroy's 68 was perfectly respectful, the American's 66 took the spoils and the £1.2 million winner's cheque. It was an impressive display by Gotterup, who also earned a place at this week's Open at Royal Portrush.
However, McIlroy was far from discouraged with his share for second with England's Marco Penge as he eyes the Claret Jug in his native Northern Ireland.
'No trophy, but no frustration, really,' he said. 'I'm really happy with where everything is. Looking forward to getting to Portrush tonight and getting out onto the golf course early tomorrow and turning my attention to that. I feel like I've got out of this week everything that I wanted.'
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