Lottie Woad took control of the Evian Championship on Friday, carding a seven-under-par 64 to move one stroke clear after two rounds. The fourth-ranked player in the world looked composed throughout at Evian-les-Bains, while Nelly Korda’s bid for a career Grand Slam ended early after she missed the cut with a 69.
For Woad, it was another strong performance at a venue that already carries real significance. She arrived back in France returning to the course where she secured her LPGA Tour card 12 months earlier, and that familiarity showed in the way she handled the second round. The event is being played close to the Swiss border, and Woad now has the lead heading into the weekend.
Why Woad looks so comfortable here
Woad has spoken about how much the course and the memories help. “I've got obviously nice memories from last year here and I like the golf course, so I think that definitely helps,” she said. That sense of comfort matters in a major, particularly when the leaderboard starts to tighten and the pressure rises.
She also pointed to the broader improvement in her game. “I think I've just got slightly better in all areas. Nothing too different. I think just mentally been in these positions a bit more so I think I'm a little calmer under pressure,” Woad said. That is the sort of response that suggests a player who is learning how to manage the biggest stages, rather than simply react to them.
Korda's Grand Slam bid ends early
The other major talking point from Friday was Korda’s exit. She came into the tournament trying to complete a career Grand Slam, but a second-round 69 was not enough to keep her in the field for the final two days. For a player of her standing, that is a significant early departure and it changes the shape of the tournament immediately.
That kind of swing is exactly what makes the Evian Championship so interesting at this stage. One big name is out, while another is on top and carrying momentum into the weekend. Woad’s position is strong, but the final rounds will still ask different questions, especially in a major where the leaderboard can change quickly.
Weekend pressure begins now
Woad has already shown she can handle this course, and her rise from securing her card here in June 2024 to leading the Evian Championship in 2025 underlines how quickly her profile has grown. Being fourth in the world brings expectation with it, but it also confirms the level she is now operating at.
The next two rounds will reveal whether she can turn that control into a major victory. For now, though, the story of the second round is clear: Woad has the lead, and Korda is out.
