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Lottie Woad is back at the Amundi Evian Championship, and although much has changed over the last year, her fine play is one thing that’s stayed the same in France.
Woad played in this LPGA Tour major one year ago and shattered the amateur scoring record at Evian Resort Golf Club, and was in contention to win, even leading at one point during the final round.
The 22-year-old British star is back in the lead after shooting a second-round seven under 64 on Friday. It’s the first time she’s led after any round in a major championship. She has a one-shot lead over Aki Iwai, who followed an opening-round 63 with a two-under 69.
“It feels great,” Woad said. “… I’ve got obviously nice memories from last year here, and I like the golf course, so I think that definitely helps.”
Last year, Woad finished in a tie for third at the Evian. She scored 13 under, breaking the previous record amateur mark by 10 shots and missed by one shot the playoff eventually won by Grace Kim.
By finishing in the top 25 at the major, Woad, a past star at Florida State, secured the last point needed to earn her tour card through the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway program. She validated that by winning the ISPS Handa Scottish Open in her professional debut last July, and she now has two career wins, with the second victory coming in May’s Kroger Queen City Championship.
Woad, the current World No. 4, nearly had another win last month, but suffered a crushing loss when she missed a short putt to win the Meijer Classic in regulation. She then lost on the first playoff hole to Miyu Yamashita. Sandwiched around the Meijer were two disappointing results in majors—a T-49 in the U.S. Women’s Open and missed cut in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
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Asked how much her game has changed in the last 12 months, Woad said: “I think a little bit. I think I’ve just got slightly better in all areas. Nothing too different. I think I’ve just mentally been in these positions a bit more, so I think I’m a little calmer under pressure.”
On Friday, Woad caught fire on the back nine, making four birdies in a five-hole stretch. She led the field in birdies with eight in the second round and her 13 birdies over the first two rounds co-leads the field as well. She set a new career-best 36-hole total of 131.
“I hit a lot of fairways and greens, which is definitely the key around here,” Woad said. “If you get in trouble off the tee, it can be pretty difficult. Just been trying to hit my lines and know how important that is. Just made a few more putts today, really.”
This is the second time this year that Woad has back-to-back rounds in the 60s. She’s clearly comfortable playing back home in Europe, where she’s put herself in position to win her first major. She’s come a long way in the last year.
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Main Image: Stuart Franklin
