Lottie Woad: British star takes early lead in LPGA Tour season-opening championship in Florida Golf News


England’s Lottie Woad is just one stroke behind the leader in the first round of the LPGA Tour-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Championship in Florida.

Ward had six birdies and one bogey in his opening round at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club for a 67 and a tie for second, one shot behind leader Nasa Hataoka.

The British woman took advantage of the par-5 ninth to make three birdies in her four-hole stretch, starting on the third hole, and then followed up with consecutive birdies starting on the 13th hole, with a final bogey bringing her back to five under.

Ward was tied for second with world No. 1 Gino Titicul, Chanetti Vannerson and Sweden’s Lynn Grant, and Bogan birdied two of his final four holes for a 6-under 66 to take the lead.

“It could have been better, it could have been worse,” Ward said afterward. “I needed to work on my driving a little bit. Just missed a couple fairways. The last hole, shouldn’t have missed there. Other than that, everything was pretty solid.

“I feel like I’m very strategic and figure my way out. I want to keep it that way.”

England's Lottie Woad hits her shot from a bunker off the 18th fairway during the first round of the LPGA Championship on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
image:
Woad from England hits the ball from the bunker next to the 18th fairway. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Titikul had six birdies and one bogey on Thursday to move onto the leaderboard in a tournament open to LPGA Tour winners the past two seasons. Wannasen had seven birdies in a 67, while Grant birdied the last two holes and entered the group at 5 under.

Nelly Korda bogeyed two of her final three holes to drop back to 4 under with Amy Yang, two shots behind. Lydia Ko was one of five players who opened with a 3-under 69, and England’s Charley Hull was five shots behind after a 2-under 70.

Watch the second round The Hilton Grand Vacations Championship Championship will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix at 4.30pm on Friday. Get Sky Sports or Live broadcast without contract.

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