Korda 'feels like a grandma' among
rising stars like Woad at Evian Championship
[July 10, 2025]
By STEVE DOUGLAS
At age 26, Nelly Korda is much too young to be feeling “like a
grandma.”
Yet that’s what is going through the mind of the world’s top-ranked
women’s player as she heads into this week's Evian Championship, the
fourth major of the year.
“That’s the best thing about sports in general,” Korda said
Wednesday, “you can never stay comfortable where you are because
there is a new generation, new talent coming, and they’re going to
be better and have more knowledge.”
One kid, in particular, likely springs to mind.
Lottie Woad, a 21-year-old college student from England, is the talk
of women’s golf after delivering one of the most stunning wins by an
amateur — by six shots over a strong field at the Women’s Irish Open
on Sunday.
Woad, the world's No. 1 amateur, is now on the cusp of securing a
place on the professional tours and a big week at the picturesque
Evian Resort Golf Club overlooking Lake Geneva in the Alps could get
her there.
Finish in the top 25 and Woad would have enough qualifying points to
seal LPGA Tour membership through its Elite Amateur Pathway, if she
is prepared to ditch her college career at Florida State with one
year left.
“I haven’t decided yet. I just don’t want to think too far ahead,”
Woad said Wednesday. “Just get the points and focus on the golf
really, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Home comforts
Indeed, there are other things occupying Woad’s mind during a trip
over to Europe that has underlined her status as the next big thing
in the women’s game — even if it hasn't earned her any money because
she is an amateur.
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Nelly Korda watches her tee shot on the 10th hole during the second
round of the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament, June 20,
2025, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Asked what she’s excited about most when she comes
back to Europe, Woad said: “The food.”
“The chocolate,” she continued, when pressed on specifics. “It’s
better in England than in America.”
Winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year got her into
every LPGA major except the Women’s PGA Championship, and her
results in the biggest events of the year include a tie for 23rd at
last year's Chevron Championship and a tie for 10th at last year's
Women's British Open.
On the back of a series of strong results on the college scene and
then in Ireland last week, Woad is just “trying to carry on the
momentum” at the Evian Championship.
“If that means I can be in contention, that would be great,” Woad
said. “Just trying to look to play good golf and continue what I was
doing last week.”
World's top two
Korda is seeking her third major title — and first since the Chevron
in April last year — and her first win of the season.
Another threat is likely to be No. 2-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, who is
bidding to win a major for the first time.
There have been 12 different winners in the last 12 women's majors.
Most recently, Minjee Lee — the No. 6-ranked Australian — won the
Women's PGA Championship last month.
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