IRVINE, Scotland – Lottie Woad made her professional debut on Thursday and not much changed. The rising English star had a 67 under par and was among those who were one stroke behind Charlotte Laffar after the opening round of the Women’s Scottish Open. Laffar, who returned to the Ladies European Tour in May after taking four years off to have two children, started with a bogey at Dundonald Links and made up for it with eight birdies on the rest of the course for a 66. Led by one over five players. That group included Leona Maguire, who had a very different start to her day than Laffar. Maguire holed out from the first fairway for eagle. Nelly Korda, still seeking her first win of the year after a seven-win season in 2024, was among those who shot 68. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the LET, an ideal spot before the final major of the year, next week’s Women’s British Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales. Woad first gained attention when she won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2023 and then rose to number 1 in the women’s amateur rankings while at Florida State. She won the Irish Women’s Open three weeks ago as an amateur and then finished one stroke off a playoff in a major at the Evian Championship. That secured her an LPGA card and she turned professional.
Laffar, 32, from England, made four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the back nine and regained the lead with a birdie on the 17th. Her husband, David, was caddying for her and they left their children with their grandparents.I’m trying to keep as much momentum as possible and keep playing how I was playing. It worked today, so I’ll try to do that again in the next few days. It didn’t feel very different today. I think having 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
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
