English Amateur Secures Six-Shot Victory, Becomes First Non-Professional to Win on Ladies European Tour

English amateur Lottie Woad, 21, made history at the Women’s Irish Open, carding a four-under final-round 69 to claim her first Ladies European Tour title in dominant fashion. The world number one amateur extended her lead to seven strokes in Saturday’s third round and made six birdies and two bogeys on Sunday to cruise home at Carton House in County Kildare.

Woad’s impressive performance was marked by just three bogeys all week, a testament to her skill and composure under pressure. The 21-year-old, who broke 70 in all four rounds, becomes the first non-professional to win on the Ladies European Tour since Czech player Jana Melichova at the 2022 Czech Ladies Open.

Despite being an amateur, Woad’s victory was not without its challenges. She faced stiff competition from seasoned professionals, including Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom, who finished second with a final-round 68. England’s world number 19 Charley Hull (69) took fourth place, while England’s Hannah Screen hit a 67 to share fifth place.

Woad’s victory was a significant moment for the English amateur, who will receive no prize money due to her amateur status. The 67,500 euro (£58,000) winner’s cheque will instead go to Sagstrom, who finished second. Woad’s win, however, is a testament to her talent and dedication to the sport.

“It felt pretty comfortable overall,” said Woad in a post-match interview. “There were a few moments at the start of the back nine that could’ve gone wrong but I hung in there and finished with some nice birdies.”

Woad’s triumph is a remarkable achievement, as she becomes the first amateur to win on the Ladies European Tour since 2022. Her dominant performance, marked by her consistent play and ability to handle the pressure, has cemented her status as one of the rising stars in women’s golf.

The 21-year-old, who won the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur title and finished tied 10th in last year’s Women’s Open, will look to build on this success at the upcoming Evian Championship in France. With her impressive display at the Women’s Irish Open, Woad has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with, and golf fans can expect to see more from this talented young player in the years to come.