Lottie Woad in rules controversy during U.S. Women’s Open round

Lottie Woad was given a two-stroke penalty during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open on Saturday after a rules breach in a greenside bunker at Riviera. 

The 22-year-old was ruled to have improved her stance in the bunker on the ninth hole, resulting in a penalty under Rule 8.1a.

The infringement ultimately turned her score on the hole into a triple-bogey seven.

Woad had found the fairway off the tee before her approach shot plugged into the face of the bunker. 

While attempting to play her shot, she lost her balance in the sand and remained in the hazard before recovering to complete the hole. 

She was then informed of the penalty two holes later. 

Rule 8.1a states that players must not take actions that improve the conditions affecting the stroke, including altering the ground, moving natural objects or obstructions, or pressing down sand or loose soil. 

Any breach results in the general penalty, which is two strokes in stroke play.

Woad is making her U.S. Women's Open debut at famed Riviera in California this week. 

She made the cut on the number at four-over par, but fell to seven-over par for the tournament after a Saturday 74. 

The Englishwoman, already a two-time LPGA winner, has enjoyed a rapid rise in the game. 

She claimed victory at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open in July 2025 while still an amateur, before winning her first professional title at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open shortly after turning pro. 

Woad won the Kroger Queen City Championship last month.

She is currently ranked sixth in the world.