Latest news with #Women'sIrishOpen
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
In first professional start, Lottie Woad shares lead at Women's Scottish Open
Lottie Woad wasted no time showing she's going to be a force to be reckoned with in professional golf. The former top-ranked amateur turned professional last week after becoming the first to graduate from the tour's new LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program, and she wasted no time soaring to the top of the leaderboard Thursday in her debut at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, signing for a 5-under 67 to share the lead with three others after the morning wave, including Leona Maguire. Woad, who won the Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour before a T-3 finish at the Amundi Evian Championship to secure the final points needed to earn an LPGA card through LEAP, reached 6 under through 14 holes before a bogey on the 17th dropped her back a shot. Playing alongside Nelly Korda, she beat the world's top-ranked player by a shot and fellow playing partner Charley Hull by four. "I'll definitely take it," Woad said. "It was some good, some bad. Overall, pretty fair." Woad's ascension in the golf world hasn't slowed since she won the Augusta National Women's Amateur last year. She played in four majors last year after earning exemptions, placing T-23 in her first start at the Chevron Championship and then finished T-10 at St. Andrews in the AIG Women's Open, earning the Smyth Salver Award for low amateur. This year, she had a stellar junior season at Florida State, losing to only 10 players all season in 11 stroke-play events. Five of those losses were to her teammate Mirabel Ting, who won the Annika Award and also turned pro earlier this summer. Then Woad finished T-31 at the U.S. Women's Open and won the Women's Irish Open, making her chance at turning pro this summer more of a reality. After her Amundi Evian finish, it was all but determined. And even with her raised expectations, she's doing her best to keep it business as usual. "Try and ignore it as much as possible," she said. "I have high expectations for myself, anyway, so just try and deal with that." For Korda, who sits a shot back of Woad, Maguire, Rio Takeda and Nuria Iturrioz after the morning wave, she was impressed getting to watch Woad up close. "She's had an amazing run the last couple weeks and deserves where she's at right now, and it's going to be exciting to see where her career goes," Korda said. Woad said she felt as if their group fed off one another throughout the morning and she enjoyed being paired with two of the faces of the LPGA in her debut. If her stellar play can continue, perhaps Woad is next. "She's obviously riding the crest of a wave, and I played with her first two days of Evian," Maguire said. "She's a great player and it's an exciting week, her first professional start. "I'm sure there's quite a bit of pressure on her holders, but hopefully she's surrounding herself with some good people. You saw with Rose Zhang a couple years ago, she got off to a very hot start, too. There will be a lot of new things for her the next few weeks and months, but I'm sure she's well able to handle it."
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Golf booming as club membership costs fall below €650, says Golf Ireland
The average cost of golf club membership in Ireland is now under €650 and 'comparable to a leisure centre or gym', Golf Ireland said. After a slump exacerbated by covid, golf is enjoying a renaissance in Ireland, buoyed by the international success of players such as Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Leona Maguire. This week, the Open Championship — one of the sport's four majors — comes to Royal Portrush in Co Antrim, attracting 278,000 visitors and worth an estimated £200m (€230m). Ireland now has more than 223,000 members in 377 clubs nationwide. Golf club membership fees and subscriptions are worth €143m, which accounts for 20% of the total consumer spending on the sport. Golf Ireland chief executive Mark Kennelly says that the increased membership has coincided with the game being within reach economically. 'The whole thrust of our strategic plan is around making golf more accessible and inclusive,' said Mr Kennelly. 'We have a big focus on encouraging more people from non-traditional backgrounds. We have a big focus on encouraging more women and girls. 'In some of the bigger urban areas, golf is more expensive just because demand is outstripping supply. But in your average golf club, membership is around €600 or so. 'We would see that as comparable to a leisure centre or gym membership — there's not a huge gap there.' Golf Ireland Chair Paul Haran, R&A Director of Public Affairs Robert Oxley, Golf Ireland chief Mark Kennelly, Prof Simon Shibli of Sheffield Hallam University, and Golf Ireland COO Tracy Bunyan at the launch of Golf Ireland's report on the impact of golf, which was published in June. Picture: Inpho/Tom Maher Memberships are up 20% in the past five years. 'We've nearly 380 clubs who are quite dependent on strong numbers because members pay an annual fee and contribute to the running of their clubs, so that bedrock of growing membership is very important for the future vibrancy of our club network,' added Mr Kennelly. Casual golf — played by people who are not yet members of clubs — now stands at about 350,000 people who play full-length golf at least once in the year. Professor Simon Shibli, director of the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, conducted research for Golf Ireland which showed the game contributed €717m in direct economic value to the Irish economy. The game generates €277.6m annually in taxes alone from consumption, income, and corporate profits, said Prof Shibli. The Open in Port-rush will see a huge influx of visitors to the island. 'There isn't the capacity in Northern Ireland to absorb all of the economic shock that comes with the Open so some of that will bleed into the Republic of Ireland. There will be spillover effect,' added Prof Shibli. Leona Maguire competing at the KPMG Women's Irish Open Golf Championship at Carton House earlier this month. International success by Irish players is adding to the game's reach. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile The 2025 Women's Irish Open took place earlier this month at Carton House in Kildare and attracted a record 37,000 spectators, while the men's Irish Open will be held in the K Club in Kildare in September. AIB business banking head of hospitality and tourism Jonathan Clarke said golf now links in with the wider visitor ecosystem. 'It's not just the golf which attracts tourists to Ireland,' added Mr Clarke. 'The warm hospitality, history, and scenic beauty in conjunction with highly personalised services in hotels, guesthouses, and golf clubs create memorable stays. 'Ireland's compact size allows golfers to combine multiple courses and sightseeing all within relatively short travel times. 'This area of the economy has remained resilient. While prices have increased, high-net-worth tourists who are less sensitive to price changes continue to favour Ireland's golf offering.' In 2027, the Ryder Cup will come to Adare Manor in Co Limerick, and the Government has committed €50m towards the biennial competition. Separately, the Government has signalled it would support Portmarnock in Co Dublin hosting the Open Championship, with State funding in the region of €40m, which if successful would be the first time the event is staged outside Britain or Northern Ireland. Robert Oxley, director of public affairs with the R&A, the governing body which oversees the Open Championship, says there's a cumulative effect of having a series of events in Ireland. 'We haven't reached a point where we are cannabilising each market for those events. The more opportunities to advertise Ireland to international audiences, the more people are going to come over and spend.'
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
England's Lottie Woad turns pro at age 21 and joins LPGA Tour
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Lottie Woad shot a final-round 64 to share third at the Evian Championship in France on July 13. MIAMI – England's Lottie Woad, coming off a victory at the Women's Irish Open and her best Major finish, said on July 15 that she has decided to turn professional and join the LPGA Tour. The 21-year-old from Farnham became the world amateur No. 1 in June and became the first amateur since 2022 to win a Ladies European Tour event when she captured the Irish crown by six strokes on July 6. On July 13, Woad shot a final-round 64 to share third at the Evian Championship in France, her best finish ever at a women's Major, setting the stage for her announcement on social media. Woad's Major result was enough to qualify her for an LPGA membership through the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) programme, becoming the first player to earn a spot that way. 'I am very excited to announce that I've decided to turn professional,' Woad posted on social media. 'I'm delighted to have secured a @LPGA card through the LEAP. I'm also happy to accept membership of the @LETgolf for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.' It did not take her long to decide to accept pro status. After the final round at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 13, she said she planned to ponder her future. 'Just going to use next week at home with family and coaches to kind of discuss the options and then I'll decide after that,' she said. 'I've always wanted to play on the LPGA,' she continued. 'Whenever that is, it's going to be really fun and I just look forward to playing all the events.' Woad is scheduled to make her professional debut at the Women's Scottish Open from July 24 to 27 at Dundonald Links, a berth she earned with her victory in Ireland. She is also set to play in the Women's British Open, the final Major of the year. It will be played from July 31 to Aug 3 at Royal Porthcawl in Wales. Woad shared 10th in the 2024 edition at St Andrews. Woad, whose triumphs include the 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur, had been playing for Florida State University. The Englishwoman will forego her senior season at Florida State. She holds the Seminoles' record for career stroke average at 70.42. Woad will have LPGA Tour status for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026, but a tour statement said the remainder of her LPGA schedule for this season remains uncertain. AFP, REUTERS
NBC Sports
15-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad turning professional after securing LPGA membership
Lottie Woad secured her LPGA card with a third place finish at the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship and discusses what her decision making processes for joining the tour is going forward. LONDON — Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad announced Tuesday she will turn professional, two days after nearly winning a major title. The 21-year-old Englishwoman followed her victory by six shots at the Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour on July 6 by finishing in third place — just one stroke off the pace — at the Amundi Evian Championship on Sunday. She didn't win any prize money at either tournament because she was amateur. However, her good finish at the Evian secured enough points to seal LPGA Tour membership through its Elite Amateur Pathway. It means she is ending her college career at Florida State University with one year left. 'I am very excited to announce that I have decided to turn professional,' she wrote on social media . ' I'm delighted to have secured a(n) LPGA card through the LEAP. 'I'm also happy to accept membership of the Ladies European Tour for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.' Woad is set to make her first start as a pro at the Women's Scottish Open next week. The AIG Women's Open, the final major of the year, is at Royal Porthcawl starting July 30.
Fox Sports
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Lottie Woad joining pro ranks in women's golf after nearly winning Evian
Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad announced Tuesday she will turn professional, two days after nearly winning a major title. The 21-year-old Englishwoman followed her victory by six shots at the Women's Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour on July 6 by finishing in third place — just one stroke off the pace — at the Evian Championship on Sunday. She didn't win any prize money at either tournament because she was amateur. However, her good finish at the Evian secured enough points to seal LPGA Tour membership through its Elite Amateur Pathway. It means she is ditching her college career at Florida State University with one year left. 'I am very excited to announce that I have decided to turn professional,' she wrote on social media. " I'm delighted to have secured a(n) LPGA card through the LEAP. 'I'm also happy to accept membership of the Ladies European Tour for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.' Woad is set to make her first start as a pro at the Women's Scottish Open next week. The British Women's Open, the final major of the year, is at Royal Porthcawl starting July 30. ___ AP golf: in this topic
