MAYNOOTH, Ireland — English amateur Lottie Woad delivered a stunning six-under-par 67 in the second round of the Women's Irish Open to seize a three-shot lead at Carton House. The 19-year-old, competing in just her second Ladies European Tour (LET) event, showcased remarkable composure to outshine a field of seasoned professionals.
Woad, who plays collegiate golf for Florida State University, began the day two shots off the lead but surged ahead with a flawless round featuring six birdies and no bogeys. Her performance at the Montgomerie Course, part of the prestigious Carton House estate, left spectators and competitors alike in awe. "I just tried to stay patient and take my chances when they came," Woad said afterward. "The putter was really working today."
A Breakthrough Performance
Woad's rise to the top of the leaderboard marks a significant milestone in her young career. Just last month, she made her LET debut at the Aramco Team Series in London, finishing tied for 34th. Now, she finds herself in contention for a maiden professional victory against a field that includes Solheim Cup stars and multiple tour winners.
Key moments from her second round included:
- A 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 7th
- Back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13
- A clutch up-and-down for par on the challenging 17th
- A closing birdie at 18 to extend her lead
The Chasing Pack
Sweden's Lisa Pettersson sits in second place at nine-under after a second-round 68. The 28-year-old, a two-time winner on the LET Access Series, credited her improved iron play for keeping her in contention. "I've been working hard on my approach shots, and it's paying off this week," Pettersson said.
A group of four players share third place at eight-under, including:
- Defending champion Klára Spilková (Czech Republic)
- Anne van Dam (Netherlands)
- Meghan MacLaren (England)
- Leonie Harm (Germany)
Woad's Amateur Pedigree
The Surrey-born golfer comes to Carton House with impressive amateur credentials. She won the 2022 English Women's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship and represented Great Britain & Ireland in the 2023 Curtis Cup. Her Florida State coach, Amy Bond, praised her mental toughness: "Lottie has that rare ability to raise her game when the pressure is highest. She's thriving in this environment."
Course Conditions
The Montgomerie Course has presented a stern but fair test this week. With firm greens and strategic bunkering, players have needed precision off the tee and creativity around the greens. Morning rain on Friday gave way to perfect scoring conditions in the afternoon, which Woad took full advantage of.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
With 36 holes remaining, tournament officials anticipate an exciting finish. The cut fell at even par, with several notable names including former major winner Sophia Popov missing out. Woad will play in the final group on Saturday alongside Pettersson and Spilková, teeing off at 12:50 pm local time.
When asked about her strategy for the weekend, Woad remained grounded: "I'm just going to try to enjoy the experience and stick to my game plan. It's amazing to be in this position, but there's still a long way to go."
Historical Context
An amateur hasn't won on the LET since Atthaya Thitikul's victory at the 2017 Ladies European Thailand Championship. Woad could join an elite group that includes major champions like Lydia Ko and Leona Maguire who won professional events as amateurs.
The Women's Irish Open, with its €320,000 prize fund, represents one of the most prestigious events on the LET schedule. A strong performance could earn Woad an invitation to next month's AIG Women's Open at Walton Heath, though as an amateur she would not be able to accept any prize money.
Local Interest
Irish hopes rest with Olivia Mehaffey, who sits at five-under after rounds of 70-69. The Royal County Down native drew large galleries on Friday and remains optimistic about moving up the leaderboard: "The support has been incredible. I'm hitting it well and just need a few more putts to drop."
Tournament organizers reported record attendance for Friday's second round, with over 5,000 spectators on site. The event has seen growing popularity since its return to the LET schedule in 2022 after a 10-year absence.
Conclusion
Lottie Woad's performance has been the story of the tournament so far, proving that amateur golfers can compete with - and even outplay - the professionals. As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on whether the young Englishwoman can maintain her composure and create a piece of golfing history.
The third round promises compelling viewing, with perfect weather forecast and a tightly bunched leaderboard behind Woad. Golf fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf from 1:00 pm BST on Saturday.
