Lottie Woad takes 2-shot lead over Nelly Korda in pro debut at Women’s Scottish Open

IRVINE, Scotland (AP) — Lottie Woad of England played bogey-free Friday and took advantage of unusually calm conditions toward the end to post a 7-under 65, giving the English star a two-shot lead over top-ranked Nelly Korda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen in the Women’s Scottish Open.

Woad is making her professional debut, which only means she gets paid at the end of the week. She looks no different from the last couple of weeks, when she won the Women’s Irish Open and then tied for third in the LPGA major in France at the Evian Championship.

Korda birdied her last two holes for a 66 to get to within two shots, hopeful she is trending in the right direction as she goes for her first win of the season. Koerstz Madsen also shot 66.

Woad, who played her college golf at Florida State, was at 12-under 132 after spending two days before the largest crowd at Dundonald Links, playing in the same group as Korda and Charley Hull of England.

Woad’s finish at the Evian Championship earned her an LPGA card, prompting her to turn pro. The Women’s Scottish Open felt no different from her other July events. It was all about trying to ride the momentum.

She dismissed the notion that she has started her pro career by taking a 36-hole lead in a tournament co-sanctioned by the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour.

“I played in seven majors now so I’ve had all that experience, and obviously the LET events, too,” Woad said. “So wasn’t really new things I guess. Kind of knew how to deal with it.”

She has missed only two greens each of the last two rounds on the links course just to the north of Royal Troon on the Ayrshire coast. It’s a strong field with the final major of the year, the Women’s British Open, next week at Royal Porthcawl in Wales.

The biggest help was the wind, or lack of it. The breeze gave way to calm conditions, and Woad ran off four birdies on the back to seize control.

Korda, winless after a seven-victory season in 2024, made her lone mistake with a bogey on the par-5 18th as she made the turn. She handled the calm conditions on the front nine to get in the final group.

“Apparently this is not really Scottish weather. It’s pretty soft, so I’ve been hearing this is not the typical weather and course they usually play out here,” Korda said. “But overall, when you get good rounds under your belt, that’s always a step in the right direction. My main focus is this week. I’m trying to finish as best as I possibly can.”

Sei Young Kim had a 67 and was three shots behind, followed by Hyo Joo Kim (66) who was four shots off the pace.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf