Laffar leads the Scottish Open; Korda and Woad in the fight

Lottie Woad Makes Successful Debut at the Women’s Scottish Open

IRVINE, Scotland – English young prospect, Lottie Woad, had a promising professional debut this Thursday, showing that her transition to the professional circuit could be very successful. Woad signed a card of 67 strokes, five under par, being only one stroke behind the leader, Charlotte Laffar, in the first round of the Women’s Scottish Open. Laffar, who returned to the Ladies European Tour in May after a four-year break to dedicate herself to her family, started with a bogey, but recovered with eight birdies to finish with 66 strokes. The competition is co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the LET, making it an excellent prelude to the final major of the year, the Women’s British Open, which will be played next week at Royal Porthcawl, Wales. Woad, who won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2023 and reached number 1 in the women’s amateur ranking while studying at Florida State, had already demonstrated her talent. Previously, she won the Women’s Irish Open three weeks ago as an amateur, and was just one stroke away from a playoff at the Evian Championship, which secured her an LPGA card and led her to turn professional.

I’m trying to keep the momentum and keep playing like I was. It worked today, so I’ll try to do it again in the next few days. It didn’t feel very different today. I think all the experience I’ve had in majors and competing gave me everything I needed, and I didn’t really have to change much.

Lottie Woad

For her part, Laffar, 32, originally from England, achieved four birdies in five holes in the second half of the course, regaining the lead with a birdie on the 17th hole. Her husband, David, was her caddie, while her children stayed with their grandparents.

I have no pressure. Golf is the life of many people here, but my children are my life. So this has become more of a working hobby, I guess you could say. I just have to enjoy every moment. I don’t know how long I’m going to do it. I’ll see how it goes. I have to show the kids how I used to play.

Charlotte Laffar