History is being made at the 2025 ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open as 21-year-old Lottie Woad continues to defy expectations in her professional debut. The English sensation holds a 2-shot lead at -17 after three rounds, staying ahead of a star-studded field including world No.1 Nelly Korda. With her remarkable composure and exceptional play at Dundonald Links, Woad is on the verge of achieving one of the most impressive professional debuts in recent LPGA Tour history.
🚀 Rookie Sensation Lottie Woad Outshines World No.1 Korda, Takes 2-Shot Lead in Historic Pro Debut at Scottish Open
⭐ Historic Professional Debut Performance
What we're witnessing at Dundonald Links is nothing short of extraordinary. Lottie Woad, making her professional debut at just 21 years old, has fired a 5-under 67 in the third round to maintain her 2-shot lead at -17 total. This remarkable performance puts her ahead of some of the world's best players, including world No.1 Nelly Korda who sits 5 shots back at -12.
Woad's journey to this moment has been meteoric. The former world No.1 amateur won the 2023 Augusta National Women's Amateur and captured the KPMG Women's Irish Open as an amateur just three weeks ago. Her third-place finish at the Amundi Evian Championship earned her LPGA Tour status through the LEAP program, and she's wasting no time making her mark on professional golf.
📊 Round 3 Leaderboard - Top 10 Players
| Pos | Player | Total | R3 Score | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lottie Woad | -17 | -5 | 🇬🇧 ENG |
| T2 | Se Young Kim | -15 | -6 | 🇰🇷 KOR |
| T2 | Nanna Koerstz Madsen | -15 | -5 | 🇩🇰 DEN |
| 4 | Hyo Joo Kim | -14 | -6 | 🇰🇷 KOR |
| 5 | Nelly Korda | -12 | -2 | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 6 | Paula Reto | -9 | -6 | 🇺🇾 URU |
| T7 | Sarah Schmelzel | -8 | -3 | 🇺🇸 USA |
| T7 | Hye Jin Choi | -8 | -7 | 🇰🇷 KOR |
| T9 | Rio Takeda | -7 | -3 | 🇯🇵 JPN |
| T9 | Ariya Jutanugarn | -7 | -5 | 🇹🇭 THA |
🌟 World's Elite Players - Round 3 Performance
👑 World No.1 Nelly Korda (T5, -12)
The world's top-ranked player finds herself in an unfamiliar position - trailing by 5 shots after three rounds. Korda managed only a 2-under 70 in the third round, struggling to find the form that has made her the dominant force in women's golf. Despite this setback, Korda remains within striking distance and could mount a comeback charge in the final round.
🎯 Other Top-Ranked Players' Standings
- Rio Takeda (World Top 10): T9 at -7 (Round 3: -3)
- Minjee Lee: T15 at -6 (Round 3: -4)
- Charley Hull: T27 at -4 (Round 3: -4)
- Paula Reto: 6th at -9 (Round 3: -6) ⭐ Excellent round
- Defending Champion Lauren Coughlin: T32 at -3 (Round 3: +1)
🏅 Lottie Woad: From Amateur Sensation to Pro Leader
📋 Player Profile
- Full Name: Charlotte "Lottie" Woad
- Age: 21 (Born January 17, 2004)
- Nationality: England (Farnham, Surrey)
- Turned Professional: July 2025 (This tournament is her debut)
- College: Florida State University
- Current World Amateur Ranking: Former No.1
🏆 Career Achievements
- ✅ 2023: Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion
- ✅ 2024: World Amateur Golf Ranking No.1 (June)
- ✅ 2022: Girls Amateur Championship Winner
- ✅ July 2025: KPMG Women's Irish Open Winner (as amateur, 6-shot victory)
- ✅ July 2025: T3 at Amundi Evian Championship (earned LPGA card)
- ✅ Florida State: WGCA Freshman of the Year, ACC Golfer of the Year
💪 Professional Status
Woad earned her 2025-2026 LPGA Tour card through the Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program following her exceptional performance at the Evian Championship. Her Irish Open victory also secured her a Ladies European Tour card. At 64th in the Rolex Rankings, she holds the second-highest ranking for an amateur since the system's 2006 debut, trailing only Lydia Ko.
🔥 Round 3 Standout Performances
⚡ Low Round of the Day
Hye Jin Choi fired the round of the day with a spectacular 7-under 65, catapulting from outside the top 20 into a tie for 7th place. This explosive performance showcased the Korean player's exceptional skill and mental toughness on the challenging Dundonald Links layout.
🎯 Other Notable Round 3 Scores
- Se Young Kim & Hyo Joo Kim: Both shot 6-under 66 to move into contention
- Paula Reto: 6-under 66 to reach 6th place
- Karis Davidson: 6-under 66 (tied for 9th)
- Lottie Woad: Steady 5-under 67 to maintain lead
- Nanna Koerstz Madsen: 5-under 67 to stay in hunt
💰 Tournament Stakes and Final Round Preview
🏆 Prize Money Breakdown
- Total Purse: $2,000,000
- Winner's Share: $300,000 (15% of total purse)
- 2nd Place: $188,651
- 3rd Place: $136,853
- 4th Place: $105,866
🎯 CME Globe Points
The winner will earn 500 points toward the Race to the CME Globe, with points distributed throughout the field based on finish position. The top 60 players in the season-ending standings qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship, where $4 million awaits the winner.
🌪️ Final Round Storylines
Can Lottie Woad become the first player to win their professional debut since 2019? Will Nelly Korda mount a Sunday charge to claim her first victory of 2025? The final round promises drama with multiple players within striking distance and links golf conditions that can change dramatically throughout the day.
⛳ Dundonald Links: The Ultimate Test
Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland, presents a classic links golf challenge with its undulating fairways, strategic bunkering, and ever-changing wind conditions. The course has undergone a £25 million renovation to become one of the UK's premier golf destinations, hosting this event for the fourth consecutive year.
Players have enjoyed relatively calm conditions through the first three rounds, with scoring reflecting the benign weather. However, links golf can change dramatically, and Sunday's conditions will play a crucial role in determining the champion.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How rare is it for a player to lead their professional debut?
Leading after three rounds of a professional debut is extremely rare in modern professional golf. The last player to win their LPGA debut was Nasa Hataoka in 2019. Woad's performance is reminiscent of Tiger Woods' dominant amateur-to-pro transition, though in a different era and tour.
Q2. What makes Lottie Woad's amateur record so impressive?
Woad reached world No.1 in amateur rankings while competing against the best amateur talent globally. Her Augusta National Women's Amateur victory and recent Irish Open win (beating professionals as an amateur) demonstrate her ability to perform under pressure against elite competition.
Q3. Can she really win this tournament?
With a 2-shot lead and her recent form, Woad has every chance to win. Her biggest challenges will be managing the pressure of potential history-making and the experience of her chasers. However, her calm demeanor and proven ability in big moments suggest she's well-equipped for the final round pressure.
Q4. What time does the final round begin?
The final round begins Sunday morning local time in Scotland. As the leader, Woad will tee off in the final group in the afternoon, providing maximum television coverage for what could be a historic moment in professional golf.
🎊 Conclusion: History in the Making
The 2025 ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open has delivered one of the most compelling storylines in recent LPGA Tour history. Lottie Woad's professional debut performance has captivated the golf world, as she stands 18 holes away from achieving something truly special.
With world-class players like Nelly Korda, Se Young Kim, and Hyo Joo Kim in pursuit, Sunday's final round promises to be an unforgettable chapter in professional golf. Whether Woad can complete her fairy-tale debut or experience proves decisive, golf fans are witnessing something extraordinary at Dundonald Links.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to one of 2025's most memorable tournaments. Don't miss what could be a historic moment in women's professional golf! 🏌️♀️✨
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