Defending champion Lottie Woad shines with an eight-birdie round, sitting two shots behind leader.
Lottie Woad made a powerful start to her Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) title defence, carding an impressive 65 to sit just two shots behind leader Megha Ganne after the opening round. The 21-year-old English amateur fired eight birdies at Champions Retreat, laying down a strong early challenge as she aims for back-to-back victories.
Woad, who made history with her ANWA win last year, built on a breakout 2024 season where she competed in her first major championships, finished as the top British player at the Women’s Open, and helped secure a Curtis Cup victory. She capped the year as the world’s top-ranked amateur and is now proving her dominance once again.
Ganne Sets ANWA Record
While Woad delivered a brilliant start, it was American Megha Ganne who stole the spotlight, setting a new tournament scoring record with a breathtaking nine-under-par 63. Her round shattered the previous ANWA best at Champions Retreat, which stood at seven-under 65, set by Rose Zhang in 2023.
With the first two rounds played at Champions Retreat before the final round at Augusta National, Woad remains in a prime position to challenge for another title.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Brits
Scotland’s Hannah Darling had a tougher start, finishing in a tie for 55th with a three-over-par round, while England’s Patience Rhodes struggled to a four-over, leaving her in a tie for 61st. Both will need strong second rounds to make the cut for Augusta National.
With Woad in red-hot form, all eyes will be on her as she looks to chase down Ganne and secure another historic win.
