Playing golf by the sea can test even the most patient players. Lottie Woad had positioned herself well in the Women’s Open at five under par, but the 16th hole at Royal Porthcawl proved costly for England’s rising star.
Her second shot landed in troubleâso much so that playing partner Lydia Ko had to help find the ballâand her third swing barely moved it. Woad believed her ball was embedded and requested relief, but officials denied her claim, forcing her to declare the ball unplayable. The messy situation led to a triple-bogey seven, turning what could have been another strong round into a 70.
“There was a lot more good than bad,” Woad said. “I played really well for 17 holesâjust that one hole cost me. It’s probably the toughest on the course. The tee shot is tricky, and then you’re hitting a three-wood into strong wind. Any miss gets punished, and I pushed mine into an unlucky lie. The rough wasnât thick except where I was, so I couldnât do much.”
She admitted frustration over the officials’ ruling but tried to move on quickly. A missed four-foot birdie putt on the final hole left her nine shots behind the leaderâa gap that may be too wide, even accounting for the unpredictable nature of links golf.
The bigger challenge for Woad and the field is Miyu Yamashita, who has taken control of the tournament. The Japanese player fired a bogey-free 65, including a brilliant 32 on the back nine, to reach 11 underâthree shots ahead of compatriot Rio Takeda.
Yamashitaâs strong performance shouldnât be surprising. Though the course differs from what sheâs used to, she thrives at the top of leaderboards. With 13 wins on the Japan Tour and 43 top-three finishes since 2021, sheâs been equally impressive in her LPGA rookie year, notching 10 top-20 finishes in 16 starts. After missing the cut in last yearâs Womenâs Open, sheâs clearly determined to make amends.
Elsewhere, Lindy Duncan (70) sits at four under alongside Pajaree Anannarukarn and Chiara Tamburlini. Madelene Sagström (69) is three under, while local player Darcey Harry (two under) comfortably made the cut.
“Itâs funnyâI keep forgetting this is my home course,” Harry said. “I have to remind myself I know it well, so thereâs no need to stress. I just want to enjoy the atmosphere.”
The first two days are always the most nerve-wrackingâyou just want to make the cut. But on this course, anything can happen. Trouble can come quickly, and big numbers are always a risk.It was a tough day for everyone with so much at stake. I can regroup and come back stronger tomorrow,” said world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who sits at two under par alongside Woad and Harry.
Steph Kyriacou had a standout moment, scoring a hole-in-one with her gap wedge on the 8th. “I didnât see it go in, which was disappointing, but the crowd went wild,” said the Australian. “The hole wasnât even damagedâit was a clean shot. This is my first official hole-in-one, no question about it. Iâm thrilled. Iâd made one before in a practice round with witnesses, but that doesnât really count, does it? This oneâs differentâthereâs footage, people, a tournament, a major. Itâs the real deal. My team will probably use it as an excuse to celebrate with drinks.”
Meanwhile, Lilia Vu was among those who missed the cut at the halfway point. Carlota Ciganda, Jennifer Kupcho, and Sophia Popovâwho won this championship five years agoâalso bowed out early.
