Lottie Woad wins Kroger Queen City Championship for second LPGA title

England’s Lottie Woad claimed the second LPGA title of her career with a composed two-shot victory at the Kroger Queen City Championship after surviving a tense, windswept final round at Maketewah Country Club.

The 22-year-old closed with a one-under-par 69 to finish on 12-under par, holding off South Korea’s Haeran Ryu, who charged through the field with a final-round 67 before a costly double bogey on the 13th ended her momentum.

Woad's victory landed a double for English golfers on Sunday with Aaron Rai becoming the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship in more than 100 years at Aronimink. 

Woad began Sunday with a three-shot cushion over Amanda Doherty and four ahead of Ryu, and despite difficult gusting conditions, the English star rarely looked rattled.

“I just played pretty good tee-to-green,” said Woad. “I hit a lot of greens, hit a lot of fairways. It’s pretty windy out there, so I think that was the key to having the lead.”

The victory marks Woad’s second LPGA triumph following her sensational win at the Women’s Scottish Open in her professional debut last year. She also captured the Irish Open as an amateur during a remarkable breakthrough season.

“This one is definitely a little sweeter than the first one because I wasn’t really expecting that,” Woad admitted. “This one, I’ve seen how good everyone is out there, so it’s good to win again.”

Woad’s final round was not without drama. A double bogey at the sixth briefly opened the door for the chasing pack, but the former Florida State standout responded immediately with a birdie at the seventh and steadied herself with a run of pars.

After another dropped shot at the 13th trimmed her advantage, Woad delivered the decisive moment on the par-four 17th, rolling in a superb 20-foot birdie putt to restore a two-shot lead.

Ahead of her, Ryu had already posted 10-under after parring the final hole. The South Korean had surged into contention with a brilliant five-under 30 on the front nine before her costly mistake at the 13th halted the charge.

“Amazing front nine. I’m so happy,” Ryu said. “But I had a little mistake on the back nine.”

Japan’s Miyu Yamashita finished third at nine-under after carding a closing 64, while Ruoning Yin ended fourth on eight-under following a 66.

Amanda Doherty and Jin Young Ko shared fifth at seven-under, with Jeeno Thitikul a shot further back after a final-round 69.

World No.1 Nelly Korda, who arrived in Cincinnati seeking a third consecutive LPGA victory, signed for a closing 67 to finish tied eighth at five-under after starting the day nine shots off the pace.