AIG Women’s Open: Lottie Woad the focus as Wales hosts biggest female event

Woad’s status as favourite is the result of a spectacular run of form which began with a resounding victory in the Irish Open – when she was still an amateur – in early July.

She then finished just a shot outside the play-off at the Evian Championship, missing out on £400,000 in prize money at the fourth women’s major of the year because of her amateur status, before turning professional and winning on debut at last week’s Scottish Open.

Should Woad, from Surrey, claim victory once more this weekend, she would be the first British woman since Georgia Hall in 2018 to win a major and only the second since Catriona Matthew 16 years ago.

Charley Hull, another of the home contenders this week, describes Woad’s recent progress as “absolutely unbelievable”.

“I played with her in the practice rounds in Ireland and I played with her in the first two rounds last week, and at the minute I feel like she’s playing with such confidence she can’t miss a shot,” Hull said.

“I think it’s great to see. She’s a breath of fresh air for the game.”

Hull, who at 20th is the highest-placed Briton in golf’s world rankings, has long been regarded as England’s best hope of major success.