CINCINNATI – In a thrilling conclusion to the Kroger Queen City Championship, Lottie Woad showcased her resilience by holding off a determined Haeran Ryu on a breezy afternoon at Maketewah Country Club. This victory marks Woad’s second triumph on the LPGA Tour, further solidifying her status as a rising star in women’s golf.
Entering the final round with a three-stroke lead over Amanda Doherty and a four-stroke advantage over Ryu, the 22-year-old English golfer closed the tournament with a 1-under 69, finishing at 12-under 268 overall. “I just played pretty good tee-to-green,” Woad said, noting her ability to hit numerous greens and fairways despite the challenging winds. “And it’s pretty windy out there, so I think that was the key, obviously, to having the lead.”
The wind, a significant factor throughout the day, presented a formidable challenge at this first-year venue, which features par-3 closing holes on each nine. “It was definitely up there with the strongest of the days and was kind of flickering around a bit,” Woad explained. “It was a cross-wind most holes, but kind of flipped between into and down. So, trying to judge the yardages into some smaller greens was definitely tricky.”
Despite her struggles, Ryu managed to forge ahead with an impressive front nine score of 5-under 30 but faltered with a double bogey on the par-4 13th, ultimately finishing with a 67. “Amazing front nine. I’m so happy,” Ryu remarked, reflecting on her performance, though she acknowledged the mistake on the back nine that cost her the title.
Nelly Korda, who had previously won her last two tournaments, shot a 67 to tie for eighth at 5 under, starting the day nine strokes behind after a third-round 72. This tournament highlighted the competitive nature of the LPGA, showcasing the skill and determination of its players.
Woad’s victory comes not only as a second LPGA win but also follows her triumph at the Women’s Scottish Open last year in her professional debut. Additionally, she secured the European Tour’s Irish Open title last summer while still an amateur. “This one is definitely, I think, is a little sweeter than the first one because I wasn’t really expecting that,” Woad expressed. “This one, I’ve seen how good everyone is out there, so it’s good to win again.”
A pivotal moment in Woad’s round occurred on the par-4 17th, where she sank a challenging 20-foot birdie putt to extend her lead to two strokes. With Ryu parring the par-3 18th shortly after, Woad found herself in a comfortable position. “Not an easy putt from where I was above the hole with a lot of break, and had a little pace going in, so pretty glad I hit the hole,” Woad commented. “Gave me a two-shot cushion on a par 3, so pretty happy with that.”
Despite enduring a double bogey on the par-4 sixth, Woad maintained her composure, birdieing the seventh and parring the following five holes. She faced additional pressure on the back nine but managed to secure her victory with steady play and crucial birdies. “I generally played pretty well,” Woad concluded. “Obviously, double, not really sure what happened there. Just kind of happened pretty quickly there. The rest I hit a lot of fairways, greens pretty stress-free.”
Miyu Yamashita finished third at 9 under after an impressive 64, followed closely by Ruoning Yin (66) at 8 under. Both Amanda Doherty (71) and Jin Young Ko (65) finished at 7 under. Jeeno Thitikul, who won the previous week in New Jersey, was another shot back after a 69.
As the players continue their journey on the LPGA Tour, Woad’s victory serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of golf and the constant challenges faced by professional athletes. Fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching closely as she builds on this success in the future.
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