Britain's Woad ready to take women's Open by storm

Britain’s Lottie Woad said she will block out the noise ahead of the Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl this week after being installed as the favourite despite it being her first major since turning professional.

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The 21-year-old former Florida State University student marked her entry into the paid ranks by cruising to a three-stroke victory at last week's Scottish Open.

She also won the Irish Open by six strokes as an amateur in July before just missing out on becoming the first amateur to win a major when she was beaten by one stroke by Australia’s Grace Kim at the Evian Championship.

So it is hardly surprising that Surrey-born Woad, who turned professional after the Evian Championship, has found herself in the spotlight as she arrived in South Wales.