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Woad is the world’s top-ranked amateur and served notice of her potential with victory in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and a top-10 finish in the Women’s Open last year.<\/p>\n
And while she has not yet turned professional, the Florida State University player has put herself in a strong position to win her first Ladies European Tour title with 36 holes to go in County Kildare.<\/p>\n
After a bogey-free opening 68, Woad started Friday’s round on the 10th and picked up three shots on her front nine. <\/p>\n
Woad, from Farnham in Surrey, gained another three strokes in the first six holes of her second nine, and while a solitary blemish came on the par-four eighth, a closing birdie extended her advantage at the top of the leaderboard.<\/p>\n
Woad led by four until 2024 Order of Merit winner Tamburlini knocked her approach at the final hole to within a foot for a closing birdie.<\/p>\n
But while Woad shone, home favourite Maguire failed to build on her opening 72 as she dropped three shots in her first five holes. <\/p>\n
The three-time Solheim Cup player then mixed three birdies with a double bogey on the back nine to sit in a tie for 49th alongside England’s former Open champion Georgia Hall, who shot 76.<\/p>\n
Irish amateur Emma Fleming followed an impressive first-round 69 with a 77 to slip back to even par.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n