Woad Survives First-Round Scare to Stay on Title Track

Portmarnock, Ireland: World number one Lottie Woad survived a strong challenge from Singapore’s Aloysa Atienza to keep alive her hopes of victory in the 121st Women’s Amateur Championship.

Atienza, 433rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), gave England’s Woad a serious run for her money before bowing out in the Round of 64 at Portmarnock.

“It was a lot more stressful than I would have liked,” said 20-year-old Woad, who lost the first two holes to 25-year-old Atienza and was three-down through four.

But Woad, who topped the standings in the 36-hole stroke play qualifier at the start of the week, battled back and found herself on level terms with two holes to play.

She then went ahead for the first time after Atienza three-putted the 17th and completed a two-up victory on the final green.

“I didn't play quite as well today (as during stroke play). There was definitely some pressure there. I just kind of got through it in the end,” said Woad, who triumphed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April.

Next up for Woad is a clash with Japan’s Aisa Saito in the Round of 32 on Thursday morning.

Saito, winner of the girls category at this year’s Royal Junior, was the leading qualifier from the Asia-Pacific, finishing tied 30th in stroke play.

Saito continued to impress on Wednesday, defeating American Bentley Cotton one-up.

Also through to the final 32 are Chinese Taipei duo Hsu Huai-chien and Liao Hsin-chun. In the WAGR, Hsu is 67th with Liao is 173rd.

In the Round of 64, Liao defeated Northern Ireland’s Annabel Wilson 2&1 while Hsu ousted Constance Fouillet of France by a similar margin.

On Thursday, Hsu and Liao, both of whom are currently playing college golf in the United States, face American opponents.

Hsu, who’s made the cut in the last two editions of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific and was winner of the low individual title at last year’s World Amateur Team Championships for the Espirito Santo Trophy, is up against world number eight Rachel Kuehn.

Meanwhile, Liao, who represented her country at this year’s Queen Sirikit Cup in New Zealand, faces 53rd-ranked Melanie Green.

The winner of the 121st Women’s Amateur Championship will gain entry to the AIG Women’s Open, US Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship and by tradition, will earn an invitation to compete at the Augusta National Women's Amateur.