Lottie Woad's promising run abruptly ended on the course when the talented golfer had to prematurely withdraw from her final round at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship due to illness. A bitter exit for the Englishwoman, who was comfortably inside the top five after 36 holes and had hopes for a top finish.
Woad had impressed the field with two consecutive rounds of 66 – a solid 10 under par – and had started Sunday in fifth place. One impressive round followed another, and everything pointed to a thrilling battle for the lead. The chance to contend for the top spot was within reach.
Bitter End for Solheim Cup Hope
This is particularly dramatic given that the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship is one of those demanding 54-hole LPGA tournaments where every round counts, and an early withdrawal carries significant weight. While Woad's tournament came to an end, Yuna Nishimura, with back-to-back 63s and an impressive 16 under par, was comfortably leading the field, having built a five-shot lead heading into the final day. Charley Hull was also at 10 under par, highlighting how tight it was at the top.
Health Comes First
News of her illness-related withdrawal spread quickly, dampening the spirits of fans who had expected Woad to achieve a top finish. One can only hope she recovers quickly and returns to the course in top form. Not everything always goes to plan on tour, but athlete health is the top priority.
