Young Lottie Woad Challenges Golf Legend Lydia Ko at Tournament of Champions

The 22-year-old English pro shares the lead with the 3-time major winner after two rounds in Orlando.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:59pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a golf match between two players, with the course and players broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.Two of the world's top golfers, Lottie Woad and Lydia Ko, engage in a thrilling battle for the Tournament of Champions title.Today in Orlando

The golf world is buzzing with excitement as rising star Lottie Woad, a 22-year-old English pro who turned professional just last year, is now sharing the lead with three-time major winner Lydia Ko at the season-opening LPGA Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. After two rounds, Woad and the 28-year-old New Zealand legend sit atop the leaderboard at 8-under par, with South Korea's Amy Yang and Japan's Nasa Hataoka trailing by just one shot.

Why it matters

Woad's rapid ascent to the top of the leaderboard alongside the legendary Lydia Ko has the potential to redefine the future of women's golf. The showdown between the rising star and the seasoned champion has captivated the golf world and could signal a changing of the guard if Woad can sustain her momentum and clinch her first LPGA title.

The details

Woad's impressive three-under-par 69 on day two built on her strong opening round of 67, showcasing her rapid rise in the sport. Meanwhile, Ko, the Olympic Champion, matched her consistency with a 67 on Friday, following Thursday's 69 on the challenging Lake Nona course. Despite her success, Woad admitted to feeling frustrated at times, frequently checking the leaderboard and battling trickier pin placements that limited birdie opportunities. 'I just had to keep giving myself chances,' she said, highlighting her resilience under pressure. Ko, who remains bogey-free through 36 holes, offered a humble perspective on the Florida course, noting that she would 'never call it easy' and emphasizing how its difficulty fluctuates with changing conditions.

  • The Tournament of Champions is the season-opening LPGA event, held in Orlando, Florida.
  • After two rounds on Thursday and Friday, Lottie Woad and Lydia Ko sit atop the leaderboard at 8-under par.

The players

Lottie Woad

A 22-year-old English professional golfer who turned pro just last year. She has already claimed two victories on the Ladies European Tour, including the Women's Irish Open as an amateur and the Women's Scottish Open in her first few weeks as a pro.

Lydia Ko

A 28-year-old professional golfer from New Zealand who has won 3 major championships and the Olympic gold medal. She is considered one of the greatest women's golfers of her generation.

Amy Yang

A professional golfer from South Korea who is trailing the leaders by just one shot after two rounds.

Nasa Hataoka

A professional golfer from Japan who is also trailing the leaders by just one shot after two rounds.

Atthaya Thitikul

The world's top-ranked female golfer from Thailand, who is currently three shots off the pace.

Nelly Korda

The world's second-ranked female golfer from the United States, who is also three shots off the lead.

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What they’re saying

“I just had to keep giving myself chances.”

— Lottie Woad, Professional Golfer

“I would never call it easy.”

— Lydia Ko, Professional Golfer

What’s next

The final two rounds of the Tournament of Champions will be played on Saturday and Sunday, with Woad and Ko battling for the title.

The takeaway

The showdown between rising star Lottie Woad and golf legend Lydia Ko has captivated the golf world and could signal a changing of the guard in women's golf if the 22-year-old Englishwoman can sustain her momentum and clinch her first LPGA title.