LPGA
Nestled in the Surrey countryside, Farnham Golf Club has long been a quiet fixture of English golf. The 6,613-yard course, founded in 1896, is known for its tradition and picturesque charm. But recently, the historic club has found itself at the center of the golfing world’s attention — thanks to the meteoric rise of one of its own, Lottie Woad. At just 21 years old, Woad has emerged as one of the most compelling young players in women’s golf, capturing international headlines and rewriting expectations of what a professional debut can look like.
So impactful has her recent success been that Farnham’s newly refurbished “Champions Room,” intended to celebrate the club’s most accomplished members, may already be too small. With two walls already filled with tributes to her growing list of achievements, the club is openly considering expanding the space or even renaming it after her. As general manager Ben Beagley admitted, they never imagined they’d need so much room for one player’s legacy so quickly.
Earlier this month, Woad stunned the golf world by winning the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open in her very first LPGA Tour event. At Dundonald Links, she delivered a composed performance that looked more like the work of a seasoned veteran than a young player making her debut. Finishing three shots ahead of her closest competitor, she not only lifted the trophy but also secured a $300,000 prize.
The significance of this victory cannot be overstated. Only two other women in LPGA history have managed to win their professional debut, placing Woad in truly rare company. The win confirmed what many in the sport had long believed: that Lottie Woad is a generational talent destined for greatness. Her poise under pressure, ability to manage the course, and calm execution in crucial moments sent a clear message — she has the mindset and skill set to compete at the very highest level.
Her triumph in Scotland was not an isolated moment of brilliance. It came on the heels of an extraordinary stretch that showcased her dominance even before turning professional. Earlier this summer, Woad captured the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, cruising to victory with a six-shot lead. A week later, she nearly added a major championship to her résumé, finishing third at the Evian Championship and missing a playoff by a single stroke.
Because she was still an amateur at the time, Woad was unable to collect the nearly half a million pounds in prize money she would have otherwise earned from those performances. But the sacrifice underscored her long-term vision and focus. More importantly, those finishes gave her enough points to secure an LPGA Tour card through the Elite Amateur Pathway, ensuring that her transition to the professional ranks was seamless.
Woad’s success as an amateur was built on years of relentless work. At Florida State University, where she enrolled in 2022, she quickly became a standout. She earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 2023 and followed that with ACC Golfer and Female Athlete of the Year titles in 2024. Her crowning achievement came that same year at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, where she became the first European champion in the tournament’s history. That victory, combined with her string of consistent finishes, elevated her to the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and earned her the prestigious Mark H. McCormack Medal.
Behind Woad’s rapid rise is a network of mentors and coaches who have helped shape her journey. She first picked up a golf club at the age of three and began formal training under swing coach Luke Bone at Farnham’s junior academy. Bone has been a constant presence throughout her career, from her earliest days to her breakthrough victories on the world stage.
She has also drawn inspiration and guidance from Karen Stupples, a former Women’s Open champion and a fellow Florida State alum. Stupples describes Woad as a uniquely driven player who approaches every tournament with the belief that she can win. Just as importantly, Stupples notes her humility and generosity, qualities that stood out when Woad played a starring role in Great Britain and Ireland’s Curtis Cup victory last year. Despite being the top-ranked amateur in the world, she carried herself with quiet confidence, prioritizing her team and demonstrating remarkable maturity.
Those who know her best often remark on her humility. While her achievements have made her a recognizable figure, she still blushes when young fans approach her for autographs or photos. Former coach Amy Bond recalls dinners where Woad would turn bright red at the attention but would always take the time to engage with supporters. Bond’s advice to her when she turned professional was simple: “Stay Lottie Woad.”
If there is one quality that has fueled Woad’s success, it is her extraordinary commitment to the craft of golf. Even as a teenager, she was known for showing up to the course in all conditions, sometimes practicing for eight hours or more in a single day. On one occasion, when Farnham was closed due to snow, she still came to the driving range and meticulously logged every shot in a notebook, a habit she has maintained for years.
Her preparation at Florida State was equally methodical. Each Sunday evening, she would reach out to her coach to plan her week in detail, ensuring that every practice session had a purpose. That level of discipline and structure set her apart from her peers, many of whom lacked the same unwavering dedication. For Woad, the process of practicing, refining, and preparing is as fulfilling as the tournaments themselves. It is that love for the grind, more than anything, that suggests her success is no flash in the pan.
This week, Woad steps onto another massive stage as she competes in the Women’s British Open at Royal Porthcawl. It will be her first major championship since turning professional, and expectations could not be higher. She will tee off alongside some of the game’s greatest players, including defending champion Lydia Ko and past winner Lilia Vu.
For Woad, a win would mean joining the exclusive list of Women’s Open champions — only 41 golfers have claimed the title in the event’s 49-year history. It would also bring with it a prize of over £1 million, a life-changing sum for any young player. But those close to her insist that money is not her motivator. What drives Woad is the pursuit of goals, the joy of competition, and the satisfaction of seeing years of hard work come together when it matters most.
Woad’s story is about more than just personal success. It represents the strength of the modern amateur golf system, the opportunities provided by the U.S. collegiate circuit, and the growing profile of women’s golf on the global stage. Her quick rise has already drawn comparisons to established stars, and her peers praise not only her skill but also her maturity and professionalism.
In just a matter of weeks, she has gone from one of golf’s most promising amateurs to a proven professional champion. And yet, in the words of those who know her best, she remains the same humble, hardworking Lottie she has always been.
From her childhood course in Surrey to the world’s most prestigious tournaments, Lottie Woad is redefining what it means to be a young athlete in golf. With her talent, work ethic, and humility, she isn’t just the future of women’s golf — she is its present.
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