Watch it: Jack Nicklaus, John Thrasher take first tee shots at new FSU golf course
The golf legend helped unveil the course he helped redesign with a celebratory tee shot Saturday morning.
Curt Weiler, Tallahassee Democrat
It took 15 feet to change Florida State junior golfer Lottie Woad’s life.
The current world no. 1 amateur golfer was on a run of two birdies in three holes heading into the 18th at Augusta National, tied for the lead of the Augusta National Women’s Amatur (ANWA). Woad sunk her 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the tournament and alter the course of her career.
A year on, Woad is prepared to defend her ANWA title, with the tournament slated to begin on April 2, and she’s looking to win again.
“A lot more people talking about you, and I feel like people’s expectations maybe increase,” Woad said. “People are trying to really beat you, but at the same time, there’s so many good players that I’m still trying to beat them too.”
“I don’t think my expectations really changed too much. Kind of just try and block out the noise.”
Lottie Woad fantastic 2024 started with Augusta
Woad’s whirlwind journey of a year featured three majors in 2024 − the U.S. Women’s Open, the Amundi Evian Championship and the AIG Women’s Open − and a dominant 2024 college season that included a national runner-up finish at the NCAA tournament.
The Farnham, England, native was the first European to win the event, bringing her a new level of fame back home, including receiving messages from professional golfers like Justin Rose.
Woad also found a new level of confidence in her game following her dramatic win at Augusta.
She was an All-ACC selection, an All-American and won the ACC Golfer of the Year in 2024, leading her into the 2025 season. She’s finished in the top 10 of every event she’s played in for the Seminoles, including one win and shooting the team’s lowest round of the season with a 65.
“Been really consistent this year in college events. I think everything’s feeling pretty solid,” Woad said. “I’m just feeling really comfortable with my game right now. Just looking forward to going back to a course that I feel pretty comfortable on.”
Despite Woad’s lengthy resume of achievements, she added one more to the list in the Florida State Match Up.
She made her first hole-in-one. It’s a weight off her shoulders, as she had been attempting to get one since her younger sister recorded an ace when they were kids.
“It’s taken me a while to get a hole in one, I will say. And my younger sister actually got one when she was 12, and she doesn’t play golf that much, so that’s always been hanging over my head,” Woad joked. “So I’m very glad to get it done. And to be fair, to be to be at our home event with loads of spectators out was pretty cool.”
FSU will be well represented at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Woad isn’t the only FSU representation at ANWA, as fellow Seminole star and world amateur No. 3 Mirabel Ting enters the tournament as one of the favorites alongside Woad.
The FSU teammates have been at the top of the World Golf Amateur Rankings all season, with Woad and Ting both spending time in the top spot. Ting has won five events, including the recent Florida State Match Up, as she gears up for a run at the ANWA crown.
While the pair will be in competition, Woad said she and Ting want the best for each other as the pair of Seminole golfers look to make a mark in the tournament.
“A lot of the time, the person I’m trying to beat in a college event is my teammate, which can really push you on, and definitely helps if you’re both playing well, you do well as a team,” Woad said. “Even next week, we’re still going to be supporting each other, but obviously we both want to beat each other too.”
The Champions Retreat in Evans, Georgia, will host the first two rounds of the tournament before the final round is played at Augusta National. Only the top 30 will make the final round, however, every participant in the tournament will play a practice round at the historic golf club.
How to watch the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
- Round 1: April 2, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Golf Channel/NBC Sports App
- Round 2: April 3, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Golf Channel/NBC Sports App
- Round 3 (Final Round): April 5, – noon-3:30 p.m. NBC/Peacock
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
