FM CHAMPIONSHIP

August 26, 2026

Lottie Woad

TPC Boston

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, very pleased to be joined by Lottie Woad here ahead of the 2026 FM Championship. Lottie, obviously FM ambassador. Lots of great stuff happening this week. Just kind of talk about your excitement for being here and representing FM.

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, really excited. This was actually one of my first events as a pro last year. Was not an FM ambassador at the time, but, yeah, it was a really cool event then. It was kind of one of my favorites.

To come back here as an ambassador is really cool and proud to represent the brand. I think this tournament has kind of elevated and improved obviously, and there is so many perks for the players this week; also what FM are going with the broadcasts and enhancing that. I'm just really happy to be an ambassador for the brand.

THE MODERATOR: What have you made of the golf course? Probably seen it a few times now. Saw it a lot last year. How does the golf course feel and what are some things you think you can take advantage of this week?

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, I think it's a little softer than last year. I don't know if that's because of weather or anything like that. But the greens are pretty soft, so you can be pretty aggressive on that front.

I think there will be quite a few birdies out there, so probably play aggressive.

THE MODERATOR: We were together at media day last week; did a little fun 14-club challenge with Tuukka Rask. Surprised everyone with your I think was it your 59 or something like that?

LOTTIE WOAD: The 54-degree.

THE MODERATOR: 54-degree on 16; have you thought about working that in with DT?

LOTTIE WOAD: No. It was like 148 yards to the pin and obviously over water and we had to use a variety of clubs and I managed to knife my 54 to get on the green, which I was pretty happy with.

But it was nice playing that the other day with the actual club that I would use. It felt a lot easier.

THE MODERATOR: Obviously both now Solheim Cup teams are solidified. Just talk about your excitement for coming up here in a couple weeks and are you looking forward to going against anyone maybe?

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, super excited. Obviously our team was finalized a few weeks ago, but really happy with how our team looks and kind of the chemistry we've got going on with our team. Obviously Anna is a great captain, so just looking forward to getting there and getting going.

It's kind of creeping up a lot quicker. Yeah, the U.S. team got picked the other day and looks pretty strong as well, so I think it's going to be a great match.

I mean, there is not anyone in particular I want to play. I'll happily play anyone, and I think we'll do well.

THE MODERATOR: You mentioned Anna, your captain. Obviously announced her retirement today. Talk about what she's meant to you, maybe meant to the game women's golf, and obviously going to be a special moment for her in Europe.

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, she's obviously had an incredible career. I remember watching her when I was younger on TV and watching her win the AIG, and that was a very cool moment. Just having someone to look up to from Europe is always special. Definitely been one of the role models for me.

For her to be the captain in my first Solheim, I think it's perfect.

Q. Following up on the retirement question for Anna, if you could just kind of describe what it means to be able to go to Solheim Cup with her leading right off this news? Like do you feel even more empowered to win? What are you taking away from her career?

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, I think it would be even more special if we win kind of her last hurrah I guess.

Yeah, I think it's been really cool that she's been the captain but still been playing out here. So I've gotten to know her a lot more, which I think is great going into the week.

So, yeah, I think it's going be to an amazing week.

Q. I know the Euros retained the last Cup in a tie that was overseas. Did you watch the 2023 Solheim Cup, and what were some of your impressions and that week and that historic tie?

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, I watched it. I can't remember the exact moments, but I remember it obviously being close and I guess technically getting the edge.

I mean, yeah, I'm always supporting Europe, so when we hoist the trophy it's a great watch.

Q. Does it feel like a dream come true that you're going to be there in two weeks and be in that environment again?

LOTTIE WOAD: Definitely, yeah. I think as soon as we get there in a couple weeks it'll be really cool. I've seen all the pictures of the grandstands ans stuff like that, and looks like it's going to be a great environment. That first tee looks like a lot of people watching, so I'm sure the adrenaline will be pumping there, and excited to get going.

Q. Obviously don't want to reveal anything. I know Charley Hull is a big fan of yours, and I think you two would make a pretty formidable pairing. Is there anybody that you're, I don't want to say dying to play with, but interested to play with?

LOTTIE WOAD: I mean, I know who I'm playing with, so I'm not going to say. Yeah, I think we'll do pretty good.

Q. Back to this week. I know we are in August of your first full season as a member. What has this year been like? I know you've had to play a lot of new golf courses. We are now in the rotation of golf courses where you're a little bit familiar. But has it been -- how do you feel like you've settled into this lifestyle? Obviously pretty well; got a win earlier this season.

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, I think pretty well. I think this year I think I've said it a few times, it's kind of like my rookie year even though I got to play a few events last year.

So it was nice to kind of settle in. Yeah, like I found a place to live, stuff like that. I'm more settled in in that aspect. It's been good with that.

And I've got to know all the courses. I think from this event onwards the rest of the courses I'm playing for this year are ones I played, so that takes the pressure off in the practice days, which is lovely, looking forward to that.

Yeah, I think this year has gone pretty well. There has obviously been higher points and lower points, like there always is. I'm pretty happy how much I was in contention this year maybe compared to last year. Last year I had a win and maybe another one in contention. That was about it.

This year I've been out there a lot more, which is more the position I want to be in.

Q. Last one from me: I know your dad, Nick, travels you with a lot. I saw your mom, Rachel, out this week as well. Does it make it more fun when both of your parents are attending events, or what does it mean to have them travel with you?

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, it's great. I mean, they only come to the majors really, so I don't see them that much. Yeah, they were at the majors this year and then obviously this event, with it being the FM event, they wanted to come along. They've been treated great, so that's always nice.

They'll be at Solheim. So will my sister at well. She doesn't get to see me play as much. Yeah, whenever they're here it's great.

Q. I know you made some jokes in your Evian presser about Milly being around. Is she just as excited for the atmosphere of a Solheim Cup?

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, she's excited. She's heard about the parties and she's excited for that. (Laughter.)

THE MODERATOR: Last one from me: Kiara last week made her first start technically as an LPGA Tour member through the LEAP program. As the first ambassador, just kind of talk about the program and the excitement for some of the players coming up. Obviously Farah will be hopefully earning her card soon; Maria.

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, that program is obviously amazing. Helped me get here, so I'm grateful for that. I think you'll see a lot more people come through that now. There is just so many good amateur players out there, and the ones you listed I've played a lot of golf with and know them very well.

I'm sure they'll get their points. I think so far everyone has proven they deserve the card. Obviously Kiara played great last week and, yeah, I've done fine. Yeah, so I think, yeah, it's a great program. I think it will be a conveyor belt coming through.

Q. As kind of a leader in that, in a sense, any advice you would give to Kiara, Farah, whoever as they begin this journey?

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah, I mean, with the points it's definitely -- you are always thinking about the 20 points in your head. I know I was thinking about when I could get those points. You got to try and relax I guess as much as possible, which can be difficult, just, you know, trying to play your best and let it happen.

But I think once you've got the card, for me, I felt a lot more relaxed. I think all those players you listed and me as well, we had a lot of opportunities as an amateur to play to play in the pro events and play in majors, so I think everyone is a lot more experienced than maybe some would've been a few years ago.

So I think they're just going to use that and they'll be fine.

THE MODERATOR: Perfect. Thank you, Lottie.

LOTTIE WOAD: Yeah.