England newbie star Lottie Woad has elected to show skilled earlier than the AIG Ladies’s Open and has accepted LPGA Tour membership.
Woad turned the primary newbie winner on the Women European Tour since 2022 and secured her maiden victory in knowledgeable occasion with a dominant six-shot victory on the KPMG Ladies’s Irish Open.
The 21-year-old threatened to turn into the primary newbie main champion in 58 years every week later at The Amundi Evian Championship, ending tied-third in France after a surprising final-round 64.
That efficiency noticed her attain the 20 factors essential to be eligible for LPGA Membership via the LPGA Elite Novice Pathway (LEAP), with Woad now taking that possibility and turning skilled.
“I am very excited to announce that I have decided to turn professional,” Woad stated on X. “I am delighted to have secured an LPGA card via the LEAP.
“I’m also happy to accept membership of the Ladies European Tour for 2026. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position.”
Woad’s rise to skilled ranks
Woad gained the 2024 Augusta Nationwide Ladies’s Novice and moved prime of the newbie world rankings later that summer season, earlier than securing the Smyth Salver for being the main newbie on the AIG Ladies’s Open.
She adopted her tied-tenth end at St Andrews by serving to Nice Britain and Eire to victory over america within the Curtis Cup, with Woad impressing for Florida State and successful a number of school occasions in America.
Woad completed as main newbie on the US Ladies’s Open and gained the Vagliano Trophy with Nice Britain and Eire this summer season, whereas her efficiency on the Evian Championship was her final as an newbie.
England Golf efficiency director Nigel Edwards stated: “Lottie Woad has been a really special member of the England Golf Squads over the years, moving from regional squads through to national girls and more recently, national women’s squad.
“She has embraced all that has been provided, from the extensive playing opportunities to the coaching support of our national coaches and national lead practitioners.
“Lottie has been a pleasure to work with and help – she has a incredible work ethic, a need to study and get higher, and loves the massive event. Lottie will thrive within the skilled sport and I actually consider that Lottie will turn into one of many greatest names in skilled golf within the years to return.
“For our squad members who have seen Lottie train through the years, she is a complete inspiration and has shown what can be achieved if you dedicate and commit yourself to your dream – an absolutely stellar role model.”
What’s subsequent?
The following occasion on each the LPGA Tour and Women European Tour schedule is the ISPS Handa Scottish Open, happening at Dundonald Hyperlinks from July 24-27 and reside on Sky Sports activities.
The ladies’s main season then concludes on the AIG Ladies’s Open from July 31-August 3, with Lydia Ko returning as defending champion at Royal Porthcawl. Stream the majors and extra with no contract.

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