Lottie Woad has taken the lead at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, finishing the second round with a bogey-free score of 65, putting her at 12 under par overall. This remarkable performance has given the recently turned professional a two-stroke advantage over her competitors.
Woad, who played alongside World No. 1 Nelly Korda and fellow English golfer Charley Hull in her first two rounds, will have the opportunity to continue competing with Korda as they face off again on Saturday. Both Korda and Nanna Koerstz-Madsen are tied for second place at 10 under par after carding 66 in the second round.
“My first nine was a little bit more windy and the back nine calmed down a bit which was nice; I could really attack some of the pins,” Woad expressed after her solid outing, reflecting on her strong start to the tournament. Remarkably, Woad has only registered one bogey in her first 36 holes.
The young golfer’s career has propelled forward since she became the first LPGA player to graduate from the LEAP program, shortly after clinching the Irish Open title on the LET. She had recently missed qualifying for a playoff by just one shot at the Amundi Evian Championship and opted to turn professional last week, skipping her final season at Florida State.
Leona Maguire, a former top-ranked amateur, commented on the pressures Woad may face but expressed confidence in her ability to navigate them, suggesting that she surround herself with supportive people. “You saw with Rose Zhang a couple of years ago, she got off to a very hot start, too… but I’m sure she’s well able to handle it,” Maguire noted, alluding to Zhang’s successful debut as a professional golfer.
While Korda has previously had a stellar season with seven wins in 2024, she is still in search of her first victory this season. After her strong start with two birdies in her opening holes, Korda utilized the favorable weather conditions to capitalize on her play.
In contrast, recent Evian winner Grace Kim and Charlotte Laffar, who initially shared the lead after an opening 66, both missed the cut following disappointing rounds in the second round. Laffar, who returned to competitive golf after a four-year hiatus for motherhood, struggled with an 82 in her second outing.
As the tournament progresses, Woad’s strong debut, paired with Korda’s experience, sets the stage for an exciting final round at Dundonald Links.