Imagine winning one of the biggest tournaments in European women’s golf—and walking away without a single penny of the prize money.
That’s exactly what happened to England’s rising golf sensation Lottie Woad, who made headlines with an incredible performance at the Women’s Irish Open.
Dominating From Start to Finish
Woad, just 21 years old and already ranked as the world’s top amateur, absolutely crushed the competition in Ireland over the weekend.
She went into the final round with a seven-shot cushion and calmly sealed the win with a four-under-par 69.
Her final score? A jaw-dropping 21-under for the tournament.
It wasn’t even close. Woad finished a full six strokes ahead of Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom, who claimed second place.
New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey followed in third. This wasn’t just a win—it was a total masterclass.
A Historic Win—But No Cheque
Now here’s the twist: despite her commanding victory, Woad won’t be seeing any of the £58,000 prize money.
Why? Because she’s still an amateur, and Ladies European Tour rules mean players without a professional tour card can’t claim earnings.
Instead, the winner’s cheque will go to Sagstrom, the runner-up.
That’s just how the rules work—though many fans might be scratching their heads at how a golfer can win the whole event and still walk away empty-handed financially.
Breaking Records and Making Waves
This marks the first time in three years that an amateur has won a Ladies European Tour event.
The last was back in 2022 when Jana Melichova triumphed at the Czech Ladies Open.
Woad’s win places her in rare company—and proves once again that she’s one of the most exciting young talents in the sport.
Her amateur career is already stacked with achievements. S
he won the Girls Amateur Championship in 2022 and took the crown at the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year.
Even without the money, this latest win is another major milestone.
Staying Focused on the Bigger Picture
Despite all the attention, Woad isn’t in a rush to turn professional.
Speaking after her win, she made it clear that she’s keeping her focus on long-term goals.
“No, I’m not tempted to turn pro yet,” she said. “I’m still trying to get my final two points for the LPGA.
I’m focused on that, and then we’ll see what happens.”
Her calm and composed mindset matches her poise on the course.
Even with a huge lead, Woad didn’t let up on the final day.
“I had a big lead coming into today, but I still had to really focus because I was being chased by some really good players,” she explained.
“I’m happy to get it done—it’s perfect. I feel like I’m playing well, and I hope to carry that into the Evian Championship next week.”
Staying Cool Under Pressure
While she admitted there were a few shaky moments early on the back nine, Woad never lost control. “It felt pretty comfortable overall,” she said.
“There were a few moments that could’ve gone wrong, but I hung in there and finished with some nice birdies.”
It’s the kind of maturity and resilience you usually see in seasoned pros—not 21-year-old amateurs. Whether or not she decides to turn pro soon, it’s clear Lottie Woad is already playing at that level.