Lottie Woad was quick to turn her attention to next week’s major championship after a disappointing loss at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give.

Woad says she's learned that she likes teeing it up the week prior to a major championship in hopes of carrying that momentum into the week ahead. And with her runner-up finish at Blythefield Country Club on Sunday, Woad will have plenty to bring to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Sunday in Michigan, Woad looked poised to hoist the trophy for the second time in three starts when she holed out from the greenside bunker at the par four, 17th hole to take a one stroke lead ahead of Miyu Yamashita with one hole to play.

“Obviously, 17 was pretty -- a bonus. Didn't have the easiest bunker shot and obviously made it,” Woad said after her round. “Thought it was going a little bit past, so was happy with that.”

But then came the 18th hole.

Woad, who had been going for the par five in two all week long, chose to take the same approach but hit a poor second shot that she regretted after her round. It set up an awkward third shot that led Woad to three-putt the final green for a bogey to fall into a playoff with Yamashita, who was in the clubhouse with a final round of 64.

“Been going for it every day, so I thought might as well. Got a pretty bad lie in the rough and hit an okay shot,” Woad said about the final hole in regulation. “Yeah, obviously wish I got the first putt a little closer and kind of wish I putted first too instead of watching Cassie's putt; kind of tricked me. Felt like I hit an okay putt. Obviously lipped out on the high side.”

The pair returned to the 18th tee for the first playoff hole, where Yamashita found the rough off the tee and Woad’s tee shot came to rest in the fairway, bordering the first cut of rough. The duo both hit their second shots just short of the putting surface where Yamashita nestled her pitch to two feet. Woad’s chip raced well past the hole and she was unable to convert the birdie putt, while Yamashita rolled in her short effort for the win.

“Definitely felt like I played good this week,” Woad said about her runner-up finish. “Felt pretty comfortable in the final group the last two days. Just kept myself in it. Made a lot of clutch putts this week, so I'm going to try and shake off this missed one.”

Woad wanted to find some momentum heading into the season’s third major. And while she didn’t come away with the trophy, she will take away the solid form she was hoping to establish before competing at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Woad won the Kroger Queen City Championship the week before going to the U.S. Women’s Open where she was tied for 49th for the week. Perhaps Sunday’s close call is merely laying the framework for a victory a week from today.

“Hopefully next week is my week instead,” Woad said.

Woad Suffers Disappointing Loss in Michigan, Turns Attention to KPMG

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