Lottie Woad explains why she chose to play a week before the KPMG Women's PGA
January 30, 2026, Orlando, Florida, USA: Lottie Woad walks the 9th green during the second round of the 2026 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20260130_fap_w109_010 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
January 30, 2026, Orlando, Florida, USA: Lottie Woad walks the 9th green during the second round of the 2026 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20260130_fap_w109_010 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
After a disappointing outing at the U.S. Women’s Open, LPGA star Lottie Woad believes playing the week before a major could be the key to building momentum.
Some players prefer to take a week off before a major, while others choose to compete. Woad is still figuring out what works best for her, but she feels she is beginning to find the answer before next week's KPMG Women's PGA.
“Yeah, definitely important. I feel like I am still working out kind of how I want to play before majors, whether I want to go play an event or not. I think I'm finding out I do like playing the week before. When possible I want to do that to get the momentum going,” said Woad.
Jun 6, 2026; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; Lottie Woad hits her tee shot from the 10h tee during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Jun 6, 2026; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; Lottie Woad hits her tee shot from the 10h tee during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Woad has been doing just that at the Meijer LPGA Classic as she moved within a shot of the halfway lead behind leader Jing Yan.
The World No. 7 opened with a 69 at Blythefield before following it with a bogey-free 66 in the second round to reach nine-under and move into a tie for second alongside Cassie Porter.
“I think coming off a U.S. Open, which was obviously tough for four days there, it's nice to kind of go somewhere else where it's a little bit more scorable and see those birdie putts go in before another major,” Woad added.
At Riviera, Woad recorded a 7-over-par score over four days and finished tied for 49th, but she carded six birdies in the second round at Blythefield.
Woad turned professional in 2025 and has already claimed two LPGA Tour titles, including last month's Kroger Queen City Championship.
Woad's career after turning professional
Woad is getting more comfortable being in contention, as she has already been racking up wins since last year.
“I think so, yeah. Been trying to get in contention a bit more. Feel like when I am in contention I've done pretty good so far, so just trying to keep that going. Yeah, I mean, definitely some chances out there to go pretty low,” said Woad.
In her first tournament after turning professional, she registered a win. It was the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open, held in July last year, which she secured with a three-stroke margin.
Other commendable performances last year came at the Women's British Open in August, where she finished T8. She also finished third at the Kroger Queen City Championship in September.
However, Woad was able to secure the Kroger Queen City Championship last month. A score of 12-under par gave her a two-stroke victory over South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran.
At the KPMG Women's PGA next week, Woad will look to win her first major title.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav