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RTÉ News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Leona Maguire's form back on even keel as Irish trio get set for AIG Women's Open
Time flies and the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour seasons have been no different as the fifth and final major of the year arrives on the horizon. On Thursday, the elite in women's golf will be teeing off at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in south Wales for the prestige of winning the AIG Women's Open and Leona Maguire comes into the tournament in decent form. It hadn't always been that way as the year had ticked into early summer with the Cavan native enduring four missed cuts in a row across May and early June as momentum deserted her. Slowly but surely though the next four LPGA tournaments have been more encouraging, finishing in a tie for 19th at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, T18 at the Dow Championship, joint-seventh at The Amundi Evian Championship and then last week's T16 at the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, although the KPMG Women's Irish Open was not anywhere near as gainful after finishing tied for 48th. That two of those results have been at major events will be a boost to her confidence before she tackles the Royal Porthcawl course. Maguire will be the most experienced of the three Irish competitors in the field, where she will be joined by Anna Foster and Lauren Walsh. Foster had a fruitful Irish Open at Carton House as the Dubliner finished tied for 12th, although Walsh did not make the cut in her home county of Kildare at a venue where she last year signed up to be their official touring professional. Walsh will be the first of the Irish to tee off on Thursday, bright and early at 6.41am, with Maguire next at 7.58am and Foster among the late starters at 3.11pm, having been among the 17 players to make it through final qualifying at Pyle & Kenfig on Monday to take her place in the field. When it comes to potential contenders for victory, much of the attention will be on the player who has been taking the game by storm in recent weeks. England's Lottie Woad said she will block out the noise this week after being installed as the favourite despite it being her first major since turning professional. The 21-year-old former Florida State University student marked her entry into the paid ranks by cruising to a three-stroke victory at last week's Scottish Open. She also won the Irish Open by six strokes as an amateur earlier this month before just missing out on becoming the first amateur to win a major when she was beaten by one stroke by Australia's Grace Kim at the Evian Championship. English amateur Lottie Woad has won the KPMG Women's Irish Open at Carton House 📺 @rteone @rteplayer - — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2025 So it is hardly surprising that Woad, who turned professional after the Evian Championship, has found herself in the spotlight as she arrived in South Wales. Asked about the growing expectation, Woad said it was all part of the learning process. "I don't think you can ever really fully handle it. I definitely feel like I've got a lot better at it," she told reporters. "I just try and block out the noise as much as possible really." Woad finished tied 10th at the Women's Open last year at St Andrews, but said Porthcawl presents a tough challenge. "I think it will be a really good test. We'll see; weather is always a factor in links golf. A lot more to mind off the tee than St Andrews last year. Definitely got to keep in play," she said. "A lot of holes, par is a good score, and then you've got to take a chance on the par-5s really." Amongst a high-quality field standing in Woad's way is defending champion Lydia Ko from New Zealand. "She's kind of come out with a bang, and I'm sure she's going to keep continuing to play well," Ko said of Woad. "I don't know a lot about her game personally, but the little that I've seen, she seems super impressive and has that kind of cool, calm, collected demeanour, and that's, I think, pretty important as a player." Olympic champion Ko is playing in Wales for the first time and said she is ready for the elements. "I would rather it be tough than be calm. As much as I love sunny weather, when I'm coming to play the Women's Open, I expect it to be rainy, windy, and that's what I've gotten to really enjoy about this Championship," she said. "I hope it brings all those elements." World number one Nelly Korda is bidding to win her first British Open after coming tied second last year. She is also expecting big things from former amateur world number one Woad. "Golf is a game of confidence, and she's definitely high up there right now, so she's going to be trusting everything," Korda said. "Her worst finish in the past three events is theoretically second or third. I think she's also riding a confidence high too with how well she's playing."
The Star
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Golf-Britain's Woad ready to take women's Open by storm
FILE PHOTO: Golf - Augusta National Women's Amateur - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, United States - April 6, 2024 England's Lottie Woad hits off the third tee during the final round REUTERS/Mike Blake/ File Photo (Reuters) -Britain's Lottie Woad said she will block out the noise ahead of the Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl this week after being installed as the favourite despite it being her first major since turning professional. The 21-year-old former Florida State University student marked her entry into the paid ranks by cruising to a three-stroke victory at last week's Scottish Open. She also won the Irish Open by six strokes as an amateur in July before just missing out on becoming the first amateur to win a major when she was beaten by one stroke by Australia's Grace Kim at the Evian Championship. So it is hardly surprising that Surrey-born Woad, who turned professional after the Evian Championship, has found herself in the spotlight as she arrived in South Wales. Asked about the growing expectation, Woad said it was all part of the learning process. "I don't think you can ever really fully handle it. I definitely feel like I've got a lot better at it," she told reporters. "I just try and block out the noise as much as possible really." Woad finished tied 10th at the Women's Open last year at St Andrews, but said Porthcawl presents a tough challenge. "I think it will be a really good test. We'll see; weather is always a factor in links golf. A lot more to mind off the tee than St Andrews last year. Definitely got to keep in play," she said. "A lot of holes, par is a good score, and then you've got to take a chance on the par-5s really." Amongst a high-quality field standing in Woad's way is defending champion Lydia Ko from New Zealand. "She's kind of come out with a bang, and I'm sure she's going to keep continuing to play well," Ko said of Woad. "I don't know a lot about her game personally, but the little that I've seen, she seems super impressive and has that kind of cool, calm, collected demeanour, and that's, I think, pretty important as a player." Olympic champion Ko is playing in Wales for the first time and said she is ready for the elements. "I would rather it be tough than be calm. As much as I love sunny weather, when I'm coming to play the Women's Open, I expect it to be rainy, windy, and that's what I've gotten to really enjoy about this Championship," she said. "I hope it brings all those elements." World number one Nelly Korda is bidding to win her first British Open after coming tied second last year. She is also expecting big things from former amateur world number one Woad. "Golf is a game of confidence, and she's definitely high up there right now, so she's going to be trusting everything," Korda said. "Her worst finish in the past three events is theoretically second or third. I think she's also riding a confidence high too with how well she's playing." (Reporting by Martyn Herman)
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Britain's Woad ready to take women's Open by storm
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Golf - Augusta National Women's Amateur - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, United States - April 6, 2024 England's Lottie Woad hits off the third tee during the final round REUTERS/Mike Blake/ File Photo Britain's Lottie Woad said she will block out the noise ahead of the Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl this week after being installed as the favourite despite it being her first major since turning professional. The 21-year-old former Florida State University student marked her entry into the paid ranks by cruising to a three-stroke victory at last week's Scottish Open. She also won the Irish Open by six strokes as an amateur in July before just missing out on becoming the first amateur to win a major when she was beaten by one stroke by Australia's Grace Kim at the Evian Championship. So it is hardly surprising that Surrey-born Woad, who turned professional after the Evian Championship, has found herself in the spotlight as she arrived in South Wales. Asked about the growing expectation, Woad said it was all part of the learning process. "I don't think you can ever really fully handle it. I definitely feel like I've got a lot better at it," she told reporters. "I just try and block out the noise as much as possible really." Woad finished tied 10th at the Women's Open last year at St Andrews, but said Porthcawl presents a tough challenge. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Singapore Bukit Panjang LRT to shut on 2 Sundays to facilitate tests; some upgrading work nearing completion Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil Business S'pore's economic resilience will face headwinds in second half of 2025 from tariffs, trade conflicts: MAS "I think it will be a really good test. We'll see; weather is always a factor in links golf. A lot more to mind off the tee than St Andrews last year. Definitely got to keep in play," she said. "A lot of holes, par is a good score, and then you've got to take a chance on the par-5s really." Amongst a high-quality field standing in Woad's way is defending champion Lydia Ko from New Zealand. "She's kind of come out with a bang, and I'm sure she's going to keep continuing to play well," Ko said of Woad. "I don't know a lot about her game personally, but the little that I've seen, she seems super impressive and has that kind of cool, calm, collected demeanour, and that's, I think, pretty important as a player." Olympic champion Ko is playing in Wales for the first time and said she is ready for the elements. "I would rather it be tough than be calm. As much as I love sunny weather, when I'm coming to play the Women's Open, I expect it to be rainy, windy, and that's what I've gotten to really enjoy about this Championship," she said. "I hope it brings all those elements." World number one Nelly Korda is bidding to win her first British Open after coming tied second last year. She is also expecting big things from former amateur world number one Woad. "Golf is a game of confidence, and she's definitely high up there right now, so she's going to be trusting everything," Korda said. "Her worst finish in the past three events is theoretically second or third. I think she's also riding a confidence high too with how well she's playing." REUTERS
ABC News
a day ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Minjee Lee one of nine Australian golfers at this week's Women's Open
Hungry for a rare career grand slam, a refreshed Minjee Lee has arrived at the Women's British Open ready to confront head-on the beauty and the beast that is Royal Porthcawl. Australian round one tee times All times AEST. Porter tees off Friday AM Australian time. After capturing the third leg of women's golf's fabled slam with victory at last month's PGA Championship, Lee needs an Open triumph and a Chevron Championship to complete the set. Americans Mickey Wright, Pat Bradley, Julie Inkster and Louise Suggs, South Korean Inbee Park, great Swede Annika Sorenstam and Australian Karrie Webb are the only players recognised with achieving a career grand slam after winning four different major championships. But only the legendary Webb, Australia's most prolific major winner with seven all up, has completed the "super grand slam" of five different majors. After some much-needed rest and recovery and no golf in London, Lee admitted trying to join her childhood idol and mentor was a huge goal. "All the majors are a great motivator for me, so yes, I definitely want to win it [the British Open] at some stage and be able to get the career grand slam," the 29-year-old said. "That would be absolutely amazing … and now that I look back at it right now, this is what I can say: that's quite a big motivation for me to try and get over the line." With a tie for third behind victorious compatriot Grace Kim at this month's Evian Championship, a joint 14th at the Chevron and an equal 22nd at the US Open, Lee also enters the week leading the ANNIKA Major Award. With another strong finish in Wales, the 2022 recipient could join world number one Nelly Korda (2024) and Ariya Jutanugarn (2018) as only the third player to claim major-player-of-the-year honours twice. To do so, Lee knows she will need to be on top of her game at the picturesque seaside layout hosting the Open for the first time. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ "It's going to be a really great challenge," the West Australian said. "You have to be really strong off the tees, with driver, whatever you have off the tee. "And then the wind and the way the holes are shaped, it's kind of tricky. "There's a lot of shots that go up into the air and the green's are a little bit lower, so you can't really see where they land. There's a couple of blind shots. "So it reminds me of an in-between links and kind of a regular golf course, but without trees. "The landscape is really lovely and you can see the ocean, so it just feels like it's going to be a great trip, just a good test." Grace Kim will be hoping to follow her Evian Championship success with a win at the British Open. With five top-10 finishes in 11 Open starts, Lee is the most credentialled of the nine Australians in the 145-strong field. But any number of the classy contingent are capable of contending. Lee is joined by fellow major champions Hannah Green and Kim, Gabriela Ruffels, who led into the final round of the Evian Championship, 2024 Evian runner-up Steph Kyriacou and fellow LPGA Tour stars Cassie Porter, Karis Davidson and Hira Naveed. European Tour pro Kirsten Rudgeley will round out a nine-strong Australian challenge on her major championship debut. The purse for golf's final major of the year is $US9.5 million ($A14.6 million), with the winner pocketing $US1.425 million ($A2.2 million). AAP
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Nelly Korda marvels at Lottie Woad's 'absolutely amazing' game
LOTTIE Woad's meteoric rise to golf stardom has impressed many of her fellow competitors, including World No. 1 Nelly Korda. The two were paired together at last week's Scottish Open, which Woad won by three strokes in her professional debut. The world's No. 1-ranked amateur just two weeks ago, Woad already has shot up to No. 24 in the Rolex World Rankings. Korda was asked about Woad's game, which she called "absolutely amazing." "I was very impressed with her composure, her process," Korda said on Tuesday ahead of this week's AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales. "When it comes to her shot routine, especially under pressure and in the heat of the moment, sometimes people seem to fidget and kind of doubt themselves. But she stuck to it, she stuck to her process every single time. "I think that's one of the main things that I noticed is how mature she is for her age and how comfortable she was in the heat of the moment." Woad, 21, arrived on the LPGA Tour after a stellar career at Florida State, and accepted her tour membership after tying for third at the Evian Championship earlier this month. "I feel good obviously," she said Tuesday. "I don't feel too different, to be honest. I got a lot of confidence from the last few – the last month really. Just trying to continue to ride that." The Englishwoman is paired with former world No. 1 and defending champion Lydia Ko and 2023 champion Lilia Vu for the first two rounds this week. "I think there's a little bit more experience under her belt than what people probably give her credit for," Ko said. "But when I've seen the coverage or how she composes herself, she doesn't seem like she rushes into things or gets like overly emotional. I'm sure that's going to help her with that transition as well." Korda will be playing in another marquee group along with Ariya Jutanugarn and Angel Yin. Jenno Thitikul, who is nipping at Korda's heels for that No. 1 ranking, is paired with Minjee Lee and Charley Hull. Korda was in contention last week before settling for a tie for fifth following a 71 on Sunday. She is still seeking her first victory of 2025 but did finish second at last year's Women's Open and celebrated her 27th birthday on Monday. "New week, new golf course, new conditions," Korda said. "My goal is to prepare the best that I can, enjoy myself and, hopefully, be in contention. And then kind of enjoy the ride because, as many highs as I've had, I've had a lot of lows, too, with this sport, but I still come back and I still want to experience those highs in all the different circumstances, different golf courses, different conditions. "And just continue to grow my love for the game." — REUTERS
