When Lottie Woad gets a chance to play at home, it’s a rare opportunity.

But it’s one she often gets a thrill from.

Woad, who has already notched back-to-back top-10 finishes at the AIG Women’s Open in her young career, opened with a solid 2-under 69 Thursday at Royal Lytham & St Annes and is firmly in the mix after the opening day.

The young Englishwoman’s debut at the AIG Women’s Open in 2024 couldn’t have gone better as she finished tied for 10th and earned Low Amateur honors. She backed that up with a tie for eighth last year.

Now Woad, who won earlier this year at the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, said she’s eager to take advantage of her solid start. The 22-year-old made no bogeys Thursday, with birdies on the par-5 6th and par-3 12th.

“No bogeys, which is always a good round here. Hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. Didn't make too many putts. But, I mean, good shots round here are kind of 15 to 25 foot, which aren't the easiest. You're not going to hole those. So hit some good rolls; just didn't make enough,” Woad said.

“Definitely take 2-under.”

Woad trails first-round leader Jeeno Thitikul who shot a 7-under 64 as she hunts for her first major championship title.

Woad admitted, despite the number of bunkers at Royal Lytham hitting upwards of 200, she wasn’t cautious at all with her approach Thursday, saying she hit driver “pretty much wherever” she could. It worked out just fine, as she did not hit into any of the bunkers on the property in the opening round.

“(Driving is) one of my strengths, so didn't see the point in laying back. Some of the par-5s are pretty tight off the tee, but they're probably the only birdie opportunities you're really going to get round here, so just always trying to play driver for those,” Woad explained.

There was, of course, such a bright spotlight on Woad at last year’s AIG Women’s Open after she won the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open in her very first event as a professional. While the reception was a little more robust in 2025, Woad was quick to say she felt the love from the English crowds for her – despite her morning tee time.

“It was great. Teeing off obviously early this morning, but still a lot of people; kind of picked up as the round went on. Can tell everyone was cheering for me, which was nice,” Woad said.

“Probably still a little calmer than when it was when I played this event last year coming off the back of the Scottish, so maybe a little more under the radar in that aspect. I know when I play in the (United Kingdom) everyone will be supporting me and all the other British girls, too.”

Woad has five top-10s so far this season – including a runner up at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give – and was in prime position at the last major on the calendar, the Amundi Evian Championship, after opening with rounds of 67-64. She admitted playing links golf remains tough (where she lives in England is “not links” and then, of course, she went to Florida State) but since she played so much of it growing up as an amateur it doesn’t take her as long as some of the other players to get back up to speed.

Her tidy opener at Royal Lytham was evidence of that.

Woad said the one AIG Women’s Open she remembers most watching on TV was the 2018 edition at Royal Lytham where Englishwoman Georgia Hall went on to win in front of her home country – not just her first major, but her first LPGA Tour title.

Hall and Charley Hull were players Woad looked up to. Now it’s equal parts odd and exciting to be competing alongside those childhood idols. But through 18 holes at this edition of the AIG Women’s Open she has a fine opportunity to add her name to history.

“I think for any British player,” Woad said, “this would be the dream one to win.”

Lottie Woad Looking to Add Her Name to History at Home

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