As though she had done this before, Irvinelottie Woad took the ball out of the cup and waved to the audience. When the English star won the Women’s Scottish Open on Sunday, she made it appear effortless.
On a windy day at Dundonald Links, Woad never faltered when Hyo Joo Kim charged, finishing with a 4-under 68 to win by three shots.
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Following, Woad is the second player in three years to win in her professional debut on the LPGA Tour.
Woad got $300,000 after finishing at age 21 and 267.
“Winning in my first event is very special, but I think it’s pretty hard to do that,” Woad added. I was being chased by everyone today, but I was able to hold the lead, play extremely well in the closing minutes, and make a lot of excellent strokes.
When the South Korean made birdies on the eleventh and twelfth holes, she tied Woad for the lead after Kim had started with four birdies in seven holes.
Woad was unflappable, dropping just one stroke late in her round and scoring birdies on the 13th and 14th holes to regain control. She made a birdie and celebrated quietly after finishing with a three-quarter wedge over a meandering burn to two feet.
In women’s golf, her win is sure to draw notice from everyone. Three weeks ago, Woad won the Women’s Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour, putting her at the top of the women’s amateur rankings. Then, in the LPGA major Evian Championship in France, she came within one stroke of a playoff.
She became pro after earning enough points for an LPGA card. She now holds an LPGA title, and the Women’s Scottish Open is co-sponsored by the LET. She is traveling south to Royal Porthcawl, Wales, for the Women’s British Open, the year’s last major.
Before missing a few putts that stopped her momentum, Nelly Korda, who played the first three rounds with Woad, shot four consecutive birdies on the front nine. After a seven-win season in 2024, she shot 71 and ended eight strokes behind, leaving the American without a victory this year.
Julia Lopez Ramirez earned one of three spots available in the Women’s British Open next week after finishing with a 65 and tying for third place with Sei Young Kim (73). Mary Liu of China and Paula Reto of South Africa were awarded the remaining berths.
When Woad earned birdies on three of the final four holes last year, she initially gained notoriety. According to her, the pressure was greater than when she made her professional debut.
Woad remarked, “I believe Augusta was the biggest tournament I participated in at the time and it was kind of my big win.” I felt like all of those experiences helped me with this, and I could definitely feel the burden of it there more.
Getting compensated for it was the only change this week. Woad, who won the Women’s Irish Open, also tied for 10th place in the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews last summer and tied for 31st place in the U.S. Women’s Open this year.
She hopes to maintain the momentum as she travels to Wales.
Yes, it has been fairly decent. Woad remarked, “I’m not really sure how to describe it.” I have been aiming for low scores, which is always pleasant.
For the first time in its 75-year history, the LPGA Tour has had a different winner in each of its 19 tournaments this year.
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