Nelly Korda Hot on the Heels of LPGA Super Rookie at Women’s Scottish Open

Nelly Korda is once again in contention on the LPGA Tour, as she heads into the weekend tied for second at the Women’s Scottish Open.

However, she and the rest of the field are chasing sensational rookie Lottie Woad, who is leading the event in her professional debut.

The Englishwoman was at her best on Friday at Dundonald Links, carding a bogey-free, second-round 65 with seven birdies. With this performance, she improved one spot on the leaderboard from the previous day, when she posted six birdies and one bogey for a 67.

“Bogey-free is always nice,” Woad said, according to the transcripts of her post-round interview. “Just hit a lot of greens, hit a lot of fairways, and then holed a few nice putts. … I think my wedges were pretty good. Same as yesterday. I laid up on I think most of the par-5s and managed to make birdie on them still.”

Woad entered the Women’s Scottish Open riding on the back of her outstanding victory at the Ladies European Tour’s Irish Women’s Open three weeks ago. A week later, she finished third at the Amundi Evian Championship, where she earned the points needed to capture her LPGA Tour card via the Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP).

The former world No. 1 amateur is looking to match Rose Zhang with a title in her professional debut at the Dundonald Links. Zhang achieved this feat at the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open, the first to accomplish it in 72 years (Beverly Hanson, 1951 Eastern Open).

However, Korda still has much to say about Woad’s intentions. The world’s best player is just two strokes back after a second-round 66 in which she carded seven birdies and one bogey.

“I just hit it really well and I have only missed four greens through two days, so, happy with that,” she said, according to the transcripts of her post-round performance. “Hopefully I can continue trending in the right direction.”

Korda remains winless this season, having taken seven titles last year, including a major championship. However, she has achieved four top-10 finishes and another four top-20 finishes, with two second-place finishes as her best results.

Both players will be among the top favorites at the AIG Women’s Open, the final major of the season, to be played at Royal Porthcawl, Wales, next week.

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