Lottie Woad seized control of the Amundi Evian Championship on Friday, firing a second-round 64 to lead a major for the first time. The 22-year-old sits one clear at halfway — while world No. 1 Nelly Korda and defending champion Grace Kim both head home early after missing the cut.

Woad followed her opening 67 with a near-flawless 64 to reach 11 under par, leading a major for the first time and sitting a single shot clear after 36 holes at Evian Resort Golf Club.

She caught fire after the turn, having let a handful of early chances slip. “On the back nine I seemed to make most things,” she said. The world No. 4 arrives in France in the form of her life: she won the Kroger Queen City Championship in May for her second LPGA Tour title and lost a June play-off to Miyu Yamashita at the Meijer LPGA Classic.

The 22-year-old dropped her only shot of the day on the 10th but bounced back with three birdies on the trot on holes 11 to 13.

Another birdie on 15 saw her Woad go into a share of the lead before her birdie on 18 put her in the outright lead on 11-under-par at the 36-hole mark.
“I hit a lot of fairways and greens, which is definitely the key around here. If you get in trouble off the tee, it can be pretty difficult, so I’ve just been trying to hit my lines and know how important that is,” said Woad.

“I just made a few more putts today really. I’ve got some nice memories from last year here and I like the golf course, so that definitely helps. The driver is clicking, I’ve been very good off the tee. If you do that you can have a lot of wedges and chances.

“I’ve got slightly better in all areas. Just mentally in these positions a bit more, so I’m a little calmer under pressure. I do look at leaderboards, but there isn’t that many out there. It helps me know what I need to do.”

Iwai holds firm as Thitikul charges

Japan’s Aki Iwai, who opened with a stunning 63, added a 69 to sit alone in second on 10 under. Haeran Ryu and Mao Saigo shared third a further two back. The round of the day among the contenders belonged to Jeeno Thitikul: the world No. 2 matched Woad’s 64 to climb into a tie for fifth on six under — 12 months on from losing the 2025 Evian title to Grace Kim in a play-off.

Korda and defending champion Kim head home

The cut fell at level par, and it took several of the biggest names in the field. World No. 1 Nelly Korda (74-69) missed the weekend at a major by a single stroke. Defending champion Grace Kim, who chipped in during last year’s play-off to claim her maiden major here, signed for 73-72 to finish three over and exit. Australia’s Minjee Lee (77-77) and France’s Celine Boutier (76-69), the 2023 champion, were also among the casualties.

Hull leads the home pack, Nadaud flies the flag for France

Charley Hull was the pick of the GB&I players in the mix, a 66-70 start leaving her tied for fifth on six under. She had company from home hope Nastasia Nadaud, who represents a club in the region and matched that mark after back-to-back 68s. Perrine Delacour kept French interest going a shot further back in a share of 10th. Cara Gainer and Jodi Ewart Shadoff both booked their weekends on three under. Ireland’s Leona Maguire missed out at three over, as did England’s Mimi Rhodes, Alice Hewson and Esme Hamilton.

Two rounds to a maiden major

Woad heads into the weekend with 36 holes between her and a first major title, and she believes she is better equipped for the moment than she once was. “I think just mentally been in these positions a bit more so I think I’m a little calmer under pressure,” she said. She added that she will keep half an eye on the leaderboard as the closing rounds unfold.

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