Staff WriterThey say motherhood changes you, but no one told Charlotte Laffar it would make her a leaderboard-topping machine.
In her first appearance at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open since 2020, the 34-year-old from the LET rewrote her own script – and a few expectations – by firing a 6-under-par 66 to take the outright lead after round one at Dundonald Links.
The Women’s Scottish Open always serves up drama, wind, and the odd miracle, and this year’s opener has already delivered.
Laffar’s eight birdies were the most of any player on Thursday, and her silky 25-putt performance was the best in the field. Not bad for a woman who only gets “two and a half, three days a week” to practice while raising her two young sons.
“I think I don’t get as much time as I used to, but the time I have I use a lot more wisely,” she said. “It’s a lot more focused… and just having a bit more fun with it.”
She certainly didn’t need to overthink it. Despite finding just eight fairways and 12 greens in regulation, Laffar scrambled like a woman late for nursery pickup and still managed to carve up Dundonald like it was a Tuesday evening roast.
And this isn’t just a fluke fairytale. Laffar’s playing full-time for the first time since 2020 after a four-year hiatus to raise Freddie and Austin. Before this week, she’d only made one cut in four starts in 2025, but the fire’s clearly back.
Just one shot behind, a five-way tie at T2 includes names from every corner of the women’s game — and one name you’re going to want to remember: Lottie Woad. Making her professional debut, Woad swung like she’d been here a decade, carding a composed 5-under 67 with six birdies.
“Just miss it in the right spots, really,” she said coolly, like someone giving advice on where to park at Tesco. “I hit a few bad shots today but they were just middle of the green, so you’re fine.”
She wasn’t alone in making Dundonald look rather welcoming, at least for now. Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz—a four-time LET winner—also carded a 67. She found just four fairways, but hit 16 greens and rolled the rock with the confidence of someone who’s seen enough bad weather to appreciate when the clouds behave.
“The conditions this morning were pretty well until hole 14,” she said. “Many putts dropped in, so I’m happy. And I’m hitting the ball pretty good, so I’m just enjoying it.”
Also at 5-under: Rio Takeda, the unflappable Japanese player making her first appearance at Dundonald Links, and Leona Maguire, the pride of Cavan.
Maguire didn’t drop a single shot and opened with an eagle to get the gallery’s attention early.
“I like it,” she said of links golf. “You still have to be creative with the wind and things like that. Hopefully the course will keep drying out as the week goes on and we’ll get more linksy.”
And then there’s the reigning queen of golf herself, Nelly Korda, striding into her first Women’s Scottish Open like a walking Rolex ad.
She recorded seven birdies—tied for second-most on the day—but sprinkled in three bogeys for a 68 that leaves her very much in the hunt.
“Not bad,” she said with a shrug that could melt glaciers. “Played the par 5s really well today… very happy with my round.”
Also sitting at 4-under is Jenny Bae, experiencing her first-ever links round and embracing the chaos with a grin. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little afraid. It’s really fun, super challenging… it actually fits my style.”
Meanwhile, defending champion Lauren Coughlin battled her way to a 2-under 70, while hometown hope Hannah Darling, playing on a sponsor invite, rode the full emotional rollercoaster to a 2-over 74. If the triple-bogey on her card stings, at least the Scottish breeze will help her cool down.
As for Laffar, her Cinderella story is still being written—but she’s proving that sharp putting, a focused mind, and a few years off changing nappies might just be the secret formula for making a run at the Women’s Scottish Open title.
The Women’s Scottish Open continues tomorrow, with calmer winds forecast and even more firepower waiting to make its mark. But for now, it’s Charlotte Laffar – mum, grinder, and unlikely leader – who sits top of the heap. And frankly, it’s a spot she’s earned.
