On Friday, Lottie Woad took the lead at the Evian Championship with a remarkable seven-under-par 64, placing her at 11 under overall. This performance comes just a year after she secured her LPGA Tour card at the same venue. Woad's impressive play puts her a stroke ahead of Japan's Aki Iwai, who had led overnight.
Woad, who is ranked fourth in the world, expressed her confidence, saying, "I've got obviously nice memories from last year here and I like the golf course, so I think that definitely helps." She added that her experience has made her calmer under pressure, which has contributed to her success this week.
Lottie Woad's Stellar Performance
During the second round, Woad made eight birdies, with her only dropped shot occurring at the par-four 10th hole. Following the bogey, she bounced back with three consecutive birdies and narrowly missed an eagle on the par-five 18th, finishing with a tap-in for par.
Other notable players in the tournament include Mao Saigo and Haeran Ryu, who are tied two strokes behind Woad. Charley Hull and world number two Jeeno Thitikul are among four players tied for fifth place at six under.
Nelly Korda's Surprising Exit
World number one Nelly Korda's bid for a career Grand Slam ended as she missed the cut after carding a round of 69, finishing at one over. This marks the first time Korda has missed a cut since June 2024, coinciding with the end of Scottie Scheffler's long streak of made cuts.
Several high-profile players, including Allisen Corpuz, Lilia Vu, and Carlota Ciganda, also failed to reach the cut line, highlighting the competitive nature of this year's championship.
Woad's Unique Strategy for Success
At just 22 years old, Woad has already made a name for herself on the LPGA Tour, with three wins since turning professional in 2025. Her strategy for coping with the scorching temperatures during the tournament included using a sun umbrella and staying hydrated, as temperatures reached around 33°C.
Woad remarked, "You just don’t really get much breeze. That’s the thing that makes it hot. I used a sun umbrella today and that was certainly better than yesterday." Her focus on mental and physical preparation is evident as she aims for her first major championship title this weekend.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Sport. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
