Staff WriterYou could say Lottie Woad just tiptoed her way into history—but after the way she dismantled Evian Resort Golf Club in the final round of the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship, it was more of a thunderous arrival.
The 20-year-old Englishwoman posted a bogey-free 64 in conditions that had others limping to the clubhouse.
That seven-under final round vaulted her into a share of third—and, perhaps more crucially, over the magic 20-point threshold needed for LPGA Tour Membership via the league’s newly minted Elite Amateur Pathway, known as LEAP.
Yes, Lottie Woad has now done what no one else had before—become the first player to earn her LPGA stripes through this points-based system introduced late last year. And she didn’t just sneak in.
She rewrote amateur records at Evian with the lowest 72-hole total (271) and lowest single round (that silky 64) by an amateur in the championship’s history.
“It is truly an honour to be the first player to achieve LPGA Membership through LEAP,” Woad said, clearly unfazed by the moment.
“It has been a dream of mine to compete amongst the best players in the world and I am grateful to now have this opportunity.
I want to thank my family, coaches and teammates at FSU for supporting me along my amateur journey – I am very excited for what the future holds.”
The LEAP program, launched in November 2024, aims to give amateur standouts a direct line to the LPGA Tour without having to battle through Q-School or Symetra-level grindfests.
Players must accumulate 20 points across select accomplishments over a four-year window. Woad did it with the precision of a Swiss watch:
- 2023 Arnold Palmer Cup – 1 point
- 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion – 2 points
- Top-25 finish at the 2024 Chevron Championship – 2 points
- No. 1 in WAGR (2024) – 3 points
- Mark H. McCormack Medal (2024) – 4 points
- Top-25 finish at the 2024 AIG Women’s Open – 2 points
- 2024 Curtis Cup team member – 2 points
- 2025 Arnold Palmer Cup – 1 point
- Made the cut at 2025 U.S. Women’s Open – 1 point
- Top-25 finish at the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship – 2 points
And just like that, 20.
Since those final two points came after July 1, Woad now faces a classic two-putt decision: she can accept LPGA Membership immediately, playing out the rest of this season and all of 2026 as a full member, or defer until next season. Either way, the stage is set.
“Throughout her amateur career, Lottie has demonstrated her talent at all levels of tournaments and competitions across the world,” said LPGA Interim Commissioner Liz Moore.
“We are proud to provide a pathway for elite amateurs like Lottie with the opportunity to compete at the highest level in women’s professional golf. Congratulations to Lottie as the first player to reach the 20-point threshold and become eligible for Membership.”
Woad’s meteoric rise has been anything but a fluke. The Florida State University standout’s swing is smoother than a jazz sax solo, and she’s handled pressure-packed leaderboards with the poise of a veteran.
The game is already full of rising stars, but Woad’s entry feels different—less hype, more substance. Golf’s future just found another fairway.
For full details on the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway, visit LPGA.com/LEAP. And keep your eyes on Lottie Woad—she’s no longer knocking at the door. She’s walking right through it.
