Lottie Woad

Lottie Woad cemented her status as the leading amateur in the world by winning the Smyth Salver at the 2024 AIG Women's Open.

The Florida State University student finished on one-under-par to claim the prize for top amateur at St Andrews, ahead of Julia Lopez Ramirez, Louise Rydqvist and Ela Anacona. She was also the highest-placed Briton, finishing in a tie for 10th place.

Lottie hit the headlines last April when she produced a tremendous finish under pressure to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Birdies on the 15th, 17th and 18th earned a dramatic one-shot victory for the Englishwoman.

Lottie went on to finish T23 on her major debut at the Chevron Championship two weeks later and rose to the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking in June 2024.

She stormed to an emphatic six-shot victory at the KPMG Women's Irish Open in July 2025 – her maiden title on the Ladies European Tour – and turned professional the following week.

Before turning pro, Lottie almost signed off from the amateur stage in spectacular fashion, missing out on victory at the Evian Championship by a single shot from Grace Kim. She would have been the first amateur to win a major in 58 years.

Lottie continued her incredible ascent by winning the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links – becoming just the third player in history to win on their first start on the LPGA Tour.

Royal Porthcawl is her first major in the paid ranks.