Lottie Woad Secures Second LPGA Tour Victory at Queen City Championship

Lottie Woad, the 22-year-old English golfer, has clinched her second LPGA Tour title, winning the Queen City Championship in Cincinnati. Woad carded a one-under 69 in the final round, finishing the tournament at 12-under 268, two strokes ahead of South Korea's Hae-ran Ryu. This victory marks a significant milestone for Woad, who only made her professional debut in July last year at the co-sanctioned Scottish Open, which she also won.

Woad's performance throughout the tournament was highlighted by impressive rounds of 64 and 65 in the second and third days, establishing a strong lead that ultimately secured her win. The win comes less than a year after she was playing collegiate golf for Florida State, underscoring her rapid ascent in professional golf.

Key facts

The Final Round Drama

Woad entered the final day with a three-stroke advantage over American Amanda Doherty. However, the lead was momentarily challenged by Hae-ran Ryu, who made a strong push on the front nine, going five-under to briefly overtake Woad. The dynamic shifted back in Woad's favor on the back nine, as Ryu dropped a shot on the 10th hole and suffered a double bogey on the par-four 13th, allowing Woad to regain and maintain her lead for the remainder of the round.

Notable Competitors

The Queen City Championship featured several high-profile golfers. World number one Nelly Korda of the United States and number two Jeeno Thitikul from Thailand, who had collectively won the three preceding LPGA Tour events, finished tied for eighth and seventh place, respectively. Their presence added to the competitive field, making Woad's victory even more significant. Other notable finishes included Japan's M. Yamashita in third place, and China's Y. Ruoning in fourth.

A Memorable Sunday for English Golf

Woad’s triumph in Cincinnati contributed to a remarkable Sunday for English golf in the United States. Concurrently, fellow Englishman Aaron Rai secured the US PGA Championship, marking a significant day for the sport across different professional tours. Woad acknowledged the personal significance of this win, stating it felt "a little sweeter than the first one because I wasn't really expecting that. This one I've seen how good everyone is out there, so it's good to win again."

Impact on the LPGA Tour Landscape

Lottie Woad's second LPGA Tour victory solidifies her position as a rising star in women's golf. Her ability to close out a tournament under pressure, especially against a field that includes top-ranked players, signals her potential for continued success. This win not only boosts her career earnings, with a top prize of $300,000, but also adds valuable points to her season standings, influencing future tournament eligibility and rankings. Her rapid transition from collegiate golf to multiple LPGA wins highlights the increasing depth of talent emerging on the professional circuit.

Fuente: Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/englands-woad-seals-second-lpga-064023325.html)