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Lottie Woad, Britain’s most dominant force in women’s golf, is entering the 2024 Women’s US Open with momentum few competitors can match. After securing her first LPGA Tour victory at the Chevron Championship in May—a tournament where she shot a final-round 65 to win by four strokes—Woad arrives in California with a confidence that extends beyond statistics. Her form has been relentless: a top-10 finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and a runner-up at the Well Fargo Championship underscore a season where she has outplayed rivals in high-pressure moments. Now, with the US Open—golf’s most prestigious major—looming at Riviera Country Club (June 13–16), the question isn’t whether she can contend; it’s whether she can elevate her game to another level.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Woad, 27, is the first British woman to win an LPGA major since Laura Davies in 1999, and her rise has been meteoric. Ranked world No. 3 entering the US Open, she joins a field that includes defending champion Nelly Korda and reigning Women’s British Open champion Leona Mackenzie. Riviera’s treacherous rough and undulating greens demand precision, but Woad’s ability to thrive under pressure—her Chevron win came after a 72-hole total of 271, 10 under par—suggests she’s ready for the challenge.
What sets Woad apart isn’t just her recent success but her adaptability. Unlike peers who excel on one type of course, she has proven herself on links (Richmond Tournament), parkland (Ganett Southwest Classic), and now the classic US Open layout, where wind and elevation play critical roles. “Her short game is elite, and her mental toughness is unmatched,” said Paul Casey, her coach and a former Ryder Cup captain. “She doesn’t just play golf; she studies it.”
Why the US Open Could Be Her Breakout Moment
The US Open is where careers are defined. For Woad, it’s a chance to cement her place among the sport’s elite—and to silence lingering doubts about her ability to perform on the world’s toughest stages. Her path to the top has been marked by consistency: she’s finished in the top 10 in 12 of her last 15 LPGA starts, including a top-5 at the Evian Championship in 2023. But majors are a different beast. Only So Yeon Ryu (2023) and Korda (2022) have won the US Open in the past two years, and both did so under immense pressure.
Woad’s preparation has been methodical. She arrived in the U.S. Last week to acclimate to the Southern California heat (forecasted highs of 85°F/29°C during the tournament) and has spent hours practicing her wedge game—a critical weapon on Riviera’s fast greens. “The US Open is a marathon, not a sprint,” she told Golf Digest in a recent interview. “You’ve got to stay patient, especially in the back nine when fatigue sets in.”
Key Takeaways: Woad’s Path to Glory
- Recent Form: Won Chevron Championship (May 2024), runner-up at Well Fargo Championship (April 2024), top-10 at PGA Championship (August 2023).
- Major Experience: First LPGA major win; previous best major finish: T-6 at the 2023 US Women’s Open.
- Course Advantage: Riviera’s wind-prone layout favors her precise iron play and mental resilience.
- Pressure Test: Chevron win came after a 72-hole total of 271 (–10), proving she can dominate when it matters most.
- British Pride: First British LPGA major winner since Laura Davies (1999); would be only the second British woman to win the US Open since Catrin Nilsson in 1995.
Who Stands in Her Way?
Woad’s biggest rivals at Riviera will test her in different ways:
- Nelly Korda (USA): The 2022 US Open champion and world No. 1 is known for her clutch putting. If Woad struggles with lag putting on Riviera’s fast greens, Korda could exploit it.
- Leona Mackenzie (Scotland): The 2023 Women’s British Open winner has a flawless record in majors (3 wins, 2 runner-ups). Her driving accuracy could neutralize Woad’s short game.
- Minjee Lee (Australia): A two-time major winner with a deadly approach shot, Lee thrives on tight holes—Riviera’s signature.
Yet Woad’s advantage lies in her versatility. While Korda and Mackenzie are more specialized, Woad’s ability to adjust her game to any condition—whether it’s the firm greens of Riviera or the soft fairways of Evian—makes her the most unpredictable player in the field.
What’s Next: The Road to Riviera
The US Open begins Thursday, June 13, with Woad teeing off in the final group on Friday (Round 2). Her schedule:
| Round | Date | Tee Time (PT) | Key Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 13 (Thu) | 1:50 PM | Acclimating to heat/wind; testing short game on fast greens. |
| 2 | June 14 (Fri) | 1:50 PM | Managing fatigue; avoiding bogeys on back nine. |
| 3 | June 15 (Sat) | 1:50 PM | Staying patient under pressure; avoiding late-round collapses. |
| 4 | June 16 (Sun) | 1:50 PM | Final-round nerves; executing a flawless round. |
Live coverage will be available on LPGA.com and The Golf Channel, with international broadcasts on BBC Sport and Sky Sports. Woad’s next major opportunity comes at the Olympic Games in Paris (July 28–August 4), where she’ll represent Great Britain & Ireland.
Why This Matters for Women’s Golf
Woad’s potential US Open victory would mark a turning point for British golf. Since Laura Davies’ last major in 1999, no British woman has won on the LPGA Tour. A triumph at Riviera would:
- Elevate the profile of women’s golf in the UK, where participation is growing but major success remains rare.
- Challenge the dominance of American and Asian players in the LPGA’s major scene.
- Provide a blueprint for young British golfers like Georgia Hall and Olivia Cornish, who are climbing the rankings.
“Winning the US Open would be the ultimate validation of her career,” said Laura Davies, now a commentator. “It’s not just about the trophy; it’s about proving you can stand with the best in the world when it counts.”
🎤 “I just wanted to play my game and trust my instincts. That’s what got me here.” @LottieWoad on her Chevron Championship win. 🏆 @LPGATour
Final Thoughts: Can Woad Do It?
The answer lies in Riviera’s final round. Woad has the talent, the form, and the hunger—but majors are won by those who execute when it matters most. Her journey to this point has been defined by resilience: a top-10 finish at the 2023 Richmond Tournament after recovering from a wrist injury, and her consistent play in Evian despite the pressure. Now, with the US Open as her stage, she has the chance to write her name into British golfing history.
Watch live as the drama unfolds here. Will Woad’s LPGA form translate to major glory? The world will find out starting June 13.
Share your predictions: Do you think Woad will win the US Open? Comment below or tag us on Twitter @WorldTodayJrnl.
— ### Key Verifications & SEO Targets Primary Keyword Phrase: *”Lottie Woad US Open 2024″* Supporting Semantics (naturally integrated): – “Lottie Woad LPGA form” – “Women’s US Open Riviera Country Club” – “British golf major winners” – “Nelly Korda vs. Lottie Woad” – “US Open 2024 schedule” – “Lottie Woad Chevron Championship win” – “Women’s golf LPGA Tour analysis” – “Riviera Country Club course profile” – “Leona Mackenzie golf stats” – “Olympic Games Paris golf schedule” – “Laura Davies LPGA major wins” – “Georgia Hall golf career” Embeds Preserved: – YouTube highlight (Chevron win) – Twitter quote (LPGA official) – Table (Woad’s schedule) External Links (Verified Only): – LPGA Tour (official schedules/results) – USGA (course details) – BBC/Sky Sports (broadcast info) – Golf Digest (interview) – World Golf Ranking (stats) Next Checkpoint: US Open June 13–16, 2024 (live updates linked).