IRVINE, Scotland \u2014 Lottie Woad had four birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn and posted a 5-under 67 on Saturday to maintain her two-shot lead in the Women\u2019s Scottish Open as she closes in on victory in her professional debut.<\/p>\n
Woad has such control of her game at Dundonald Links that she went 33 consecutive holes without a bogey until dropping a shot on the 15th.<\/p>\n
Her lead was down to one shot, but the 21-year-old from England responded with a short wedge she played perfectly on the 17th, leaving her an 8-foot birdie putt she converted. A closing par put her at 17-under 199.<\/p>\n
Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark, who caught Woad early with an eagle on the par-5 third hole, fell behind after Woad\u2019s birdie streak. But the Dane rallied with three straight birdies and a couple of par saves for a 67.<\/p>\n
She was two shots behind, along with Sei Young Kim (66), who made a long eagle putt on the 14th and got up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 closing hole to get within two shots.<\/p>\n
Nelly Korda played bogey-free, but the American managed only two birdies on another relatively calm day by Scottish standards. Her 70 left her five shots behind Woad, who already has had a golden summer in Europe.<\/p>\n
Woad, who won the Augusta National Women\u2019s Amateur in 2024 and rose to No. 1 in the women\u2019s amateur ranking that year, won the Irish Women\u2019s Open three weeks ago on the Ladies European Tour.<\/p>\n
Then she missed the playoff by one shot in the Evian Championship. But her tie for third in the LPGA major earned her a tour card, and she decided to skip her senior year at Florida State and turn pro. And now she has a chance to win in her debut.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the aim, to shoot as low as possible and keep giving myself chances,\u201d Woad said. \u201cIf someone shoots lights out, fair enough. I\u2019m excited for the opportunity. I\u2019ve got the experience and I\u2019ll try to use that.\u201d<\/p>\n