THE WOODLANDS, Texas — To say Lottie Woad has had a whirlwind two weeks would probably be an understatement.
Woad, a sophomore at Florida State, won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur the week before the Masters — and said Friday she still hasn’t even had a chance to celebrate it.
“Kind of didn’t really have a chance to let Augusta sink in really. Was just coming here straightaway,” she said. “I obviously took a lot of confidence from Augusta, so just trying to use that for this week.”
Woad had just two days to decide whether she would become the first ANWA champion to play in that year’s Chevron Championship. After getting the blessing of her Florida State coach’s blessing to miss this week’s ACC Championship, Woad flew to Texas for her first LPGA start, in a major championship, no less.
“I think in college everyone does everything for you so you kind of don’t have to worry about how you’re getting to the course and stuff like that,” Woad said. “This week, you’re just out a little more, but it’s been fine.”
Woad said she was trying to make sure she played the weekend this week. After her second-round 69 that put her in a tie for 9th heading into the weekend at four under, safe to say the mission was accomplished.
She’s now just the third amateur to be within the top 10 after 36 holes since 2004, and if she holds that position, she would be the first amateur to finish there since Stacy Lewis finished T5 in 2007.
“I didn’t have a number in mind where I wanted to finish,” she said. “I was just kind of trying to stick to my plan and shoot, I guess, under par.
“But now I’m only I think three back maybe at the moment. That might change. (She ended up four back) But just going to, I guess, see how close I can get and keep trying to contend.”
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Woad’s rise to stardom has been quick, but she’s been acting like a pro all week. Woad even has a new caddie this week. Candy Herrera, a local caddie from this week’s host, The Club at Carlton Woods, who played collegiately at Oklahoma State. Woad said she asked for a recommendation for a local caddie from the club and Herrera was the first number she got.
Playing two groups behind the circus following Nelly Korda, Woad methodically charged up the leaderboard Friday, at one point getting within a shot of the lead. At No. 11, she poured in a birdie putt without her steely eyed facade cracking one bit.
She strutted over to the 12th tee, looking back to see her playing partners hole out.
Woad may have had modest expectations for the week, but she is all business now.
“I’m in a good position now,” she said, “so I am just going to keep trying to move up.”
