England’s rising golf star Lottie Woad made an impressive start to her 2026 campaign, sitting just one shot off the lead after the opening round of the Tournament of Champions in Florida. Competing against a world-class field at Lake Nona, the 22-year-old continued her rapid rise by posting a five-under-par round to place herself firmly among the early contenders.
Woad, who turned professional only last summer, was invited to take part in the season-opening LPGA event in Orlando and has wasted no time showing she belongs at the highest level. After the first round, she shares second place on five under par alongside Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen, fellow Thai star Atthaya Thitikul, and Sweden’s Linn Grant.
At the top of the leaderboard is Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, who produced a superb opening round of 66. Hataoka carded seven birdies to move to six under par and take a narrow one-shot lead heading into the second day.
Strong Start from Woad
Woad’s round was built on consistency and confident ball-striking. She picked up six birdies through her first 14 holes, briefly holding the outright lead before a lone bogey on the 18th green halted her momentum. Despite that late setback, her performance left her in an excellent position to challenge across the remainder of the tournament.
Speaking after her round, Woad described Lake Nona as a demanding but fair test. She explained that colder conditions during practice rounds had softened the course slightly, making scoring a little more accessible on the opening day.
“The course definitely challenges you,” she said. “The practice days were pretty cold, so it played a little bit easier today.”
Hataoka Sets the Pace
Hataoka’s round stood out for its fluency and precision. The Japanese star looked comfortable from the opening tee, finding fairways and attacking pins with confidence. Seven birdies underlined her intent as she established early control of the leaderboard.
With just one round completed, the margins remain tight, and Hataoka will know she faces stiff competition from a chasing pack packed with major champions and rising talents.
Big Names in the Mix
Behind the leading group, several of the game’s biggest names remain well within striking distance. South Korea’s Amy Yang and world number two Nelly Korda sit on four under par, while a cluster of players, including Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, Japan’s Ayaka Iwai, and South Korea’s A Lim Kim and So Mi Lee, are on three under.
England’s Charley Hull, another established contender, completed her opening round at two under par, leaving her well placed as the tournament unfolds.
With scoring conditions favourable and the field tightly packed, the leaderboard is expected to change rapidly over the coming days.
A Rapid Rise for Woad
Woad’s presence near the top of the leaderboard comes as little surprise to those who have followed her progress over the past year. While still an amateur, she produced a dominant performance to win her first Ladies European Tour title at the Women’s Irish Open in July.
That victory marked a turning point in her career and showcased her ability to handle pressure on a big stage. Just three weeks later, she made an immediate impact as a professional, securing a statement win at the Women’s Scottish Open on her tour debut.
Those back-to-back successes elevated her reputation and confirmed her status as one of England’s most exciting prospects in women’s golf.
Confidence Carrying Into 2026
The Tournament of Champions represents a new chapter in Woad’s journey, as she tests herself against the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour. Her confident opening round suggests she is ready to compete consistently at this level.
While still early in the season, her ability to stay composed, recover from mistakes, and maintain aggressive scoring will be crucial as she aims to contend for titles on a regular basis.
For Woad, the focus remains on learning and adapting, but performances like this underline her growing belief that she can challenge the world’s elite.
What Comes Next
With three rounds still to play, the tournament remains wide open. Hataoka leads, but the chasing group is deep and experienced, meaning consistency will be key.
Woad’s challenge will be to build on her strong start, avoid costly mistakes late in rounds, and continue trusting the game that has brought her success over the past year.
As the LPGA season begins to gather momentum, the Tournament of Champions is already delivering high-quality golf and compelling storylines.
For more golf news, LPGA updates, and in-depth sports coverage, visit https://netsports247.com.
